The Pinnacle delivered 2,400 HAF places for Northampton children this summer
Northampton climbing centres celebrate a summer of climbing, confidence and community through the Holiday Activities and Food Programme.
The Pinnacle has welcomed children across almost 2,400 HAF places this summer, giving young people from across Northampton the opportunity to climb, explore, make friends, enjoy freshly prepared food and build confidence during the school holidays.
Across its two Northampton venues, The Pinnacle delivered over 950 places at its Climbing and Caving Centre and more than 1,400 at its Clip ’n Climb Centre as part of the Government-funded Holiday Activities and Food Programme.
But for the team at The Pinnacle, the real success of the summer has been seeing what happens beyond the climbing wall.
From children taking their first tentative steps off the ground, to others overcoming fears, making new friends or simply discovering an activity they love, the sessions have given hundreds of local young people the chance to experience climbing in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Every HAF session at The Pinnacle also includes food for the children taking part, with freshly cooked pizzas and healthy snacks provided alongside the activities. Young people are encouraged to get involved with preparing and decorating their own pizzas, while learning and reinforcing basic food hygiene along the way.
The HAF programme provides activities and food for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals during the school holidays, creating opportunities that some families may otherwise be unable to access.
The Pinnacle has been delivering HAF sessions across school holidays and has seen many familiar faces return time and again.
Simon Ager, Managing Director of The Pinnacle, said: “Welcoming almost 2,400 places across our centres this summer is something the whole team is incredibly proud of.
“But what matters most to us is the experience each child has when they walk through the doors.
“For some, this might be the first time they have ever tried climbing. Some arrive full of confidence and cannot wait to get started, while others might be nervous or unsure. Our job is to make sure they feel welcome, supported and able to enjoy themselves at their own pace.
“We want the whole experience to be positive, from the activities they take part in and the encouragement they receive from our team, through to sitting down and enjoying freshly cooked food together.
“One of the loveliest things is seeing children come back through the doors and remembering them from a previous holiday. They know the instructors, they know the centre and they feel comfortable here. That sense of belonging is really important to us.”
The impact of that supportive approach can be seen in the experiences of children attending the sessions.
One young climber, Mia, was initially so nervous about abseiling that she was shaking and did not want to stand on the ledge.
Rather than putting her under pressure, instructors helped her take one small step at a time, allowing her to decide how far she wanted to go.
When she returned during a later holiday, her confidence had transformed. She was climbing independently and eventually reached more than 11 metres high.
Her mum described the change in her confidence, while Mia summed up her experience at The Pinnacle in three words: “fun, surprising, and amazing.”
The team has also worked closely with children with special educational needs and disabilities, adapting sessions to ensure climbing is accessible and enjoyable for as many young people as possible.
Gary Sheppard, Strategic Director, Active Schools at Northamptonshire Sport, works with The Pinnacle through the HAF programme.
He said: “We use The Pinnacle Centre because it's a wonderful centre. It's a different activity to a lot of the activities that we offer.”
He added:
“The Pinnacle are very good at offering inclusive activities as well, so they're able to cater for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and it's a wonderful experience for those children through the course of the school holidays.”
Gary also praised the people behind the centre.
He said: “The Pinnacle Centre and the staff are all wonderful. They provide a very friendly, inclusive environment that welcomes all children and young people into their settings.”
Climbing offers young people a different type of challenge to many traditional sports.
As well as being physically active, children are encouraged to problem-solve, persevere, support one another and celebrate each other's achievements.
The Pinnacle team says some of the most rewarding moments come from watching children achieve something they did not believe they could do when they arrived.
Simon added: “Climbing has this wonderful ability to bring people together.
“You see children encouraging somebody next to them, celebrating when another child reaches the top or helping someone who might be feeling a little nervous.
“There is a fantastic community around climbing and we want everyone who comes through our doors to feel part of that, whether they are visiting us for the very first time or they climb with us every week.
“If this summer has introduced more children and families in Northampton to climbing and shown them just how welcoming the sport can be, then that is something we're very proud of.”
The Pinnacle offers climbing opportunities for children, families and adults throughout the year across its Northampton centres, from first-time experiences and family sessions to regular children's activities, coaching and climbing courses.