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Great childhoods made possible
In Barnsley we want all children, young people and families to benefit from the opportunities that a great childhood brings. A range of experiences and learning opportunities can help to give children and young people the best start in life and adulthood.
The Great Childhoods Ambition is our commitment to improving the lives and futures of our children and young people. We'll support them to have a great childhood and ensure they feel they belong, and can explore, dream, grow and connect.
What we'll do
As part of our Great Childhoods Ambition we'll:
- work with family hubs to support parents to give their children the best start in life
- work with schools to provide a caring and safe space for all pupils to learn and grow, giving them a sense of belonging and the strength and skills to make anything possible
- develop stronger partnerships between our schools and communities, creating a network of support so no child falls through the gaps
- provide activities, opportunities and experiences of interest to children and young people
- support young people to access and explore what's on offer, building confidence and boosting their self esteem
- work with careers leaders, higher education partners and businesses to inspire and encourage young people to dream big, showing them possibilities in the voluntary, public and private sectors
- grow young people's digital skills to help them prepare for a digital future
Read more about our Great Childhoods Ambition.
How you can get involved
As a borough-wide, collaborative programme, we'd like everyone to get on board and help us grow the opportunities for young people. If you're an employer and would like to find out how you can support the Great Childhoods Ambition, email us at gca@barnsley.gov.uk.
Free bus travel for under 18s in Barnsley
We know travel can be expensive, so we’re bringing the Barnsley MiCard travel pass back, which will enable free bus travel for under 18s in Barnsley from Friday 1 August 2025. The scheme is set to run until 31 July 2027.
Barnsley MiCard is available to anyone living in Barnsley aged 5 to 18. Young people will be able to access free bus travel from Monday to Sunday, between 7am and 9pm, as long as the journey starts or ends in Barnsley local authority area and is within South Yorkshire.
Helping young people be more independent allows them to build life skills, as well as connect with friends, family and the range of opportunities we have across the borough and beyond.
For more about Barnsley MiCard and how to apply, visit the Travel South Yorkshire website.
School uniform scheme and Year 11 support packs
We’re investing £2.7 million as part of the Great Childhoods Ambition to support families and young people across Barnsley. This investment is made possible by additional one-off funds from an improved local government financial settlement for the 2025-26 year.
School uniform scheme
For the 2025-26 school year, you’ll be able to claim a voucher worth £50 per primary school aged child and £100 per secondary school aged child if you live in the Barnsley local authority area. You’ll receive a letter and Post Office voucher for each child through the post to claim at your local Post Office. We’ll begin sending the letters out to families across the borough, week commencing 21 July 2025, so please keep an eye out for yours arriving.
Find out more about the school uniform scheme.
Year 11 support packs
We’re also handing out free support packs to all Year 11 students who live in Barnsley. The fabulous packs will be distributed to all Barnsley secondary schools to hand out as they return in September. The packs will be full of all the things they need as they begin their final year of school and prepare for their exams or assessments.
We’ll be sharing more details about this scheme shortly.
Activities over the summer
There's lots of activities for children and young people happening over the summer, including sports, workshops, art, crafts and more.
Take a look at some ideas below to get started!
Summer activities
Details of activities and events listed below are subject to change. Please contact the organisation running the activity for more information about any of the sessions.
| Activity | Organisation | Dates | Location | More details |
| STEM workshops, eco summer camp, the story garden, sewing social | Barnsley Libraries | Various dates in July, August and September - see the library events page for details. | Library @ the Lightbox | N/A |
| RampUp cycle and scooter sessions | What's Your Move | Various dates in July and August - see the RampUp session dates for details. | Various locations | N/A |
| Kicks summer programme | Barnsley FC Community Trust | Various dates in July and August - see the Barnsley FC activities programme for details. | Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre, Astrea Dearne | N/A |
| Family sessions, Kidz Klub camp, and Rock Solid camp | Exodus Project | Various dates in July and August - see the Exodus Project Facebook page for details. | Jenny's Field, 16b Main Street, South Hiendley, Barnsley, S72 9BP | N/A |
| Big art programme | Ad Astra Barnsley | Various dates in July and August - see the Ad Astra Barnsley Facebook page for details. | New Lodge Community Centre, New Lodge, S71 1SH | N/A |
| Summer gym programme | OnPAR Health | Various dates in July and August - see the OnPAR Health Facebook page for details. | OnPAR Health, Worsbrough Dale | N/A |
| Digital media workshops | Visualised It | Various dates in July and August. | Visualised It Ltd, 103 Digital Media Centre, County Way, Barnsley, S70 2JW | Booking required - book to attend a digital media workshop. |
| Get school ready, art clubs, public mural | Barnsley Civic | Various dates in August - see what's on at Barnsley Civic for details. | Barnsley Civic | N/A |
| Summer events | Grassroots Sports Academy | 19 and 30 July, 14 and 21 August | Cudworth, Locke Park, Dearne | See the Grassroots Sports Academy Facebook page for more details. |
| Cook eat create, activity day, step into theatre, beach day | YMCA Barnsley | 24 July and 4, 14 and 21 August | YMCA Barnsley | See the YMCA Barnsley Facebook page for more details. |
| The Great Museum Quest Workshops | Barnsley Museums | 25 July and 7, 12, 13 and 20 August | Experience Barnsley, Cannon Hall, Cooper Gallery, Elsecar Heritage Centre, Worsbrough Mill | See museum summer events for more details. |
| Family holiday club, family fun day, youth carers garden | H.O.P.E. in Community | 26, 27, 28 and 29 July | St George's Church, Metrodome, Barnsley Baptist Church | Booking required - book to attend a H.O.P.E. session. |
| Family days | Forge Community Partnership | 29 July and 21 August | Tankersley Welfare Hall, Elsecar Nursery, Wombwell Main Community and Sports Association | N/A |
| Summer fun picnics | Goldthorpe Pentecostal Community Church | 30 July, 6 August and 20 August | Goldthorpe Parish Church Hall (Lockwood Road, Goldthorpe), Carrfield Park (Bolton upon Dearne), Thurnscoe Plaza (Thurnscoe) | N/A |
| Young women's programme | The Youth Association | Weekly from 31 July to 4 September | Barnsley Metrodome | Booking required - book to attend the young women's programme. |
| Family gaming | Adaptive Gaming | 9 and 10 August | YMCA Barnsley | N/A |
| Bounce into summer | Goldthorpe Development Group | 13 August | Dearne Football Club | N/A |
| Singing day workshops | Barnsley Youth Choir | 18, 19, 20 and 21 August | St John's Penistone, Emmanuel Church, Dearne Playhouse, Hoyland Common Primary School | N/A |
| Family fun day | Thurnscoe Regeneration | 21 August | Thurnscoe Plaza | N/A |
| Theatre workshops and activities | Chilypep | TBC | TBC | See Chilypep activities schedule for more details. |
Explore music
Barnsley Music Service offer high quality music education for children and young people aged 5 to 18. They work to:
- inspire young people to sing and play a musical instrument
- develop young musicians' talent, offering them the chance to perform at different levels
- promote and develop music in Barnsley through diverse partnerships
- enhance and develop life skills through music
Find out how to get started by contacting Barnsley Music Service.
Dream at the Northern Academy for Vocal Excellence
The new Northern Academy for Vocal Excellence (NAVE) will deliver singing tuition to young people, as well as being home to the world-renowned Barnsley Youth Choir. The choir's won eight first prizes in some of the most important international competitions in the world.
The NAVE will bring back into use our former computer centre building on the corner of St Mary’s Place and Westgate.
Grow with Barnsley Children's University
The Barnsley Children's University programme offers pupils the chance to develop their skills, knowledge, and confidence outside of the school curriculum.
Through our network of partners and local organisations, children can access a wide range of activities to collect credits. These credits count toward different certificates that can be achieved as part of the programme.
Connect at Base71 Youth Zone
Base71 Youth Zone will be a safe and aspirational place for young people.
Located in the town centre, it'll be a state-of-the-art space with facilities including a sports hall, climbing wall, gym, music suite, performing arts studio and film facilities. There will also be a multi-use games area/kick pitch with flood lights.
Base71 Youth Zone will be staffed by skilled youth workers who'll help young people realise their aims and achievements.
Explore Barnsley Museums
Explore Barnsley's heritage and culture with exhibitions, events and activities at our museums.
We have five heritage attractions in the borough: Experience Barnsley and Cooper Gallery in the town centre, plus Cannon Hall, Elsecar Heritage Centre and Worsbrough Mill. Each offers something for everyone, from fascinating exhibitions to history, art, nature and cultural experiences.
Activities at our libraries
There's lots of regular activities in our libraries for young people of all ages.
For young children there's story and rhyme, and sensory play sessions. For older children there's a range of craft sessions, games and Lego clubs. And teens can get involved with coding club, young adults reading groups and writing workshops.
Take a look to find out what's happening at your local branch.
Family hubs
Our family hubs provide services for children from pre-birth up to 19 years (or 25 years if the young person has a disability). A range of experts are on hand, including family support workers, health visitors, midwives, mental health support, employment advisors and adult learning teams.
You can also access a wide range of services online through the Virtual Family Hub.
Connect through sport
There's lots of ways you can stay active, from competitive sports to a walk in the park with family. Playing sports is not only great for your physical heath, but for your mental wellbeing too. Plus team sports help you connect with others and give you a sense of belonging.
If you're feeling inspired, take a look at the What’s Your Move website.
