Holiday Fun Story – Sadaat
Thanks to our supporters, Sadaat and her son can get creative at Holiday Fun in ways they couldn’t afford elsewhere.
Holiday Fun has made a huge difference for Sadaat and her son, offering free creative activities, movement sessions, and a supportive community. What started as a way to keep busy during school holidays became a key part of their lives.
Inspired by our programme’s impact, Sadaat joined the team as an assistant, helping other families enjoy the same benefits. It’s given her confidence and new skills while providing her son with creative opportunities they couldn’t afford elsewhere.
Finding affordable fun
Three years ago, Sadaat moved to Colchester with her son and, like many single mums, struggled to find affordable things to do during school holidays. “It is really hard to find free activities during school holidays and parents are really struggling,” she says.
That’s when Sadaat discovered our Holiday Fun project at Firstsite. Free arts and movement sessions, followed by a tasty lunch, quickly became a regular part of their school holidays.
Sadaat also discovered other activities at Firstsite to keep her son entertained all year. “I think Firstsite is the best place to take children. There’s always something going on, not just during Holiday Fun,” she says.
“As a parent, I love joining the art activities with my son. Then we head to the canteen for food – it’s something we both look forward to every half term”
Growing creativity
For her son, Holiday Fun has been a game-changer. He loves art, and our programme gave him the chance to use new materials and get creative in ways they couldn’t afford elsewhere. “He loves to do art […] he can see, he can touch, he can use here at Firstsite, which is very nice, and also helps him to improve his art skill.”
The chance to meet and learn from local artists has also been inspiring. “I like to see him talking with artists on artwork during art activities, about colours, about drawing, for example. And I think I feel proud of it to see him, how he engages in art very early, but also in a very affordable way. I think Firstsite definitely helped him to improve his art skill,” she says.
“It’s really a privilege for me to join the team because before I was a parent coming with my son, but now I am part of the team”
A full circle moment
Holiday Fun made such a difference in Sadaat’s life that she wanted to give back. Last year, she decided to join the team: “I start to think about how I can also join the team, how can I be part of Holiday Fun programme.” She began as a volunteer and was soon offered a role as a Holiday Fun assistant. “It’s really a privilege for me to join the team because before I was a parent coming with my son, but now I am part of the team,” she says.
What started as a way for Sadaat and her son to enjoy free activities during school holidays has turned into something much bigger. Through Holiday Fun, they’ve found a creative outlet, new friendships, and a stronger connection to the community in Colchester. Now, Sadaat’s giving back to the programme that’s made such a difference in their lives – helping others discover the joy of art, creativity, and connection.
