SUMMER holiday activities, a rock school and refurbished tennis courts will be funded with County Hall grants totalling more than £12,000.

Oxfordshire County Council has allocated £12,500 from its chill-out fund, which supports activities for children and young people.

The funds were approved by cabinet member for the voluntary sector Judith Heathcoat on Wednesday.

Among the successful applicants was Donnington Doorstep, which will use its £2,000 to pay some of the costs of drop-in holiday activities.

Youth service manager Marie Nolan said: “We’re very, very happy, it’s absolutely wonderful because these services are so important to children and young people.

“It’s a real community hub, and it is a drop-in facility so the kids come and go as they please.

“We have the usual youth club stuff available like a pool table, but also do things like arts and crafts.”

Mrs Heathcoat also approved a £2,500 grant to the Oxfordshire Music Education Partnership to fund a rock school in Bicester, and £1,300 for Yarnton Parish Council to pay for a youth bus.

Banbury Young Homelessness project (BHYP) will get £1,000 to help homeless young people, while Hanborough Parish Council has been given £2,700 to refurbish its tennis facilities.

A £2,500 grant will be given to the Leys Community Development Initiative and St Luke’s Church, Canning Crescent, Oxford, will get £1,500 to run workshops in cookers, pottery and other activities.

In a report, head of children’s services Jim Leivers said: “We know that how children and young people spend their leisure-time has an important influence and impact on their resilience and their quality of life.

“Engaging in constructive activities can increase children and young people’s positive attitudes, improve motivation, increase aspirations, develop social and life skills and enhance interpersonal skills.

“All of which is vital for children and young people to help them avoid taking risks such as experimenting with drugs/alcohol or being involved in anti-social behaviour and crime.

Mr Leivers added: “Positive activities can also help increase the resilience of vulnerable children and young people who are trying to rebuild their lives. For children and young people with physical or learning disabilities it can reduce social isolation.”

Chill-out fund bids July 2013:

  • Donnington Doorstep: £2,000
  • Oxfordshire Music Education Partnership:£2,500
  • Yarnton Parish Council: £1,300
  • BHYP: £1,000
  • Hanborough Parish Council: £2,700
  • Leys Cdi: £2,500
  • St Luke’s Church: £1,500