News from Bolton at Home

Here you'll find our most recent news articles, from important tenant updates and new housing developments, to new community initiatives and activities.

Back to the list

Events and activities for you and yours to get involved with this summer (2025)

Events and activities for you and yours to get involved with this summer (2025)

Each year, we organise and support a variety of summer activities for you and yours to enjoy.

We also support Urban Outreach’s 'Bolton Lunches' project, which provides free packed lunches to children and young people throughout the summer holidays.

Here's a look at the activities we’ve planned for the 2025 school summer holidays, along with details on how to access free packed lunches through Urban Outreach’s 'Bolton Lunches' scheme. We’ll keep this list updated as more activities are confirmed.

Please note: some sessions may require advance booking, and others are only open to residents living in certain areas. We’ve included a note for activities where this is the case.

Remember: we're here if you or someone you know could use a helping hand.

If you know someone who could use a helping hand with money matters, household bills, food support, work/training, accessing community groups, or something else — just tap here for a list of all the support services offered by us and our partners.

Tap a link below to jump to further information on this page:

How to access free packed lunches for children and young people (ages 4 to 18) during the summer holidays:

Tap here to go back to the list of events

Every summer, Bolton-based charity Urban Outreach offers free packed lunches for children and young people aged four to 18 through its ‘Bolton Lunches’ project.

During the 2025 school summer holidays, children will be able to access Bolton Lunches through Bolton’s ‘Holiday Activities and Food’ (HAF) programme of events running across the borough. 

We’ve listed the 'HAF Hub' events in Bolton's parks that we’ll (Bolton at Home) be supporting below. For a full list of HAF events, please tap here to visit Bolton Council’s Holiday Activities and Food page.

You can also tap here to learn more about Urban Outreach’s ‘Bolton Lunches’ project, which has run every summer since 2014.

The Urban Outreach logo

Every Monday, 1pm to 3pm: Age Friendly Crafty Storytelling at Gorton Community Centre

Tap here to go back to the list of events

Join us as we create art to showcase Gorton's rich history and heritage, its industrial past, and strong working class roots. Enjoy a brew and share your stories through craft with others.

Address: Gorton Community Centre, Highmead Street, Gorton, M18 8PE

For more information, please contact: info@hmhc.co.uk or phone 0161 222 3633.

Poster for the Age Friendly Crafty Storytelling sessions at Gorton Community Centre. A text-based version of this poster is available above.

 Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays during the summer holidays: Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) at Bolton's Parks — open to all

Tap here to go back to the list of events

Bolton Council’s HAF Hubs provide a brilliant opportunity for young people to get active, try something new, and enjoy a mix of physical and enriching activities. From fun food demos to hands-on cooking sessions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

These park-based sessions also include helpful signposts to help connect you with services such as housing, health, finance, and local Family Hubs if you need them — all offering friendly advice and useful information.

Sessions run from 11am to 3pm and are delivered in partnership with organisations including Urban Outreach, Bolton Wanderers in the Community, and the Play and Youth Service. No booking needed; just drop by and join in.

Bolton Council will be running Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Hubs at:

  • Moses Gate Park on Tuesdays during the summer holidays, 11am to 3pm (Bolton at Home's Community Engagement Team will be there to support one of the HAF Hub sessions at Moses Gate Country Park on Tuesday 5 August 2025).
  • Central Park, Westhoughton on Wednesdays during the summer holidays, 11am to 3pm (Bolton at Home's Community Engagement Team will be there to support two of the HAF Hub sessions at Central Park, Westhoughton on Wednesday 30 July 2025 and Wednesday 20 August 2025).
  • Moss Bank Park on Thursdays during the summer holidays, 11am to 3pm (Bolton at Home's Community Engagement Team will be there to support one of the HAF Hub sessions at Moss Bank Park on Thursday 14 August 2025).
  • Queen's Park on Fridays during the summer holidays, 11am to 3pm (Bolton at Home's Community Engagement Team will be there to support one of the HAF Hub sessions at Queen's Park on Friday 25 July 2025).

For more information on the HAF Hub Family Park Events in Bolton, please tap here to visit the Bolton Council website.

As mentioned above, Urban Outreach will be providing free packed lunches for children and young people at these HAF events.

Promotional banner image for Bolton's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) events in 2025.

Wednesday 20 August to Wednesday 27 August 2025: Side by Side Arts Festival, Rochdale — open to all

Tap here to go back to the list of events

A festival made by the people of the Rochdale borough, for everyone. To see the full Rochdale Side by Side Arts Festival programme, please tap: issuu.com/link4lifetrust/docs/side-by-side_festival_2025_programme 

Address: Rochdale Town Hall Square, The Esplanade, Rochdale, OL16 1AZ

Poster for the Side by Side Arts Festival in Rochdale. A text-based alternative of this poster is available above.

Tuesday 26 August 2025, 10am to 12pm: Pond and River Dipping at Seven Acres, Breightmet — please book in advance:

Tap here to go back to the list of events

Grab your nets and join us for this fun-filled family pond and river dipping session: discover the amazing creatures living just beneath the surface.

Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for the weather, limited wellies and beach shoes are available on request (please get in touch beforehand with any requests).

Address: meet in the Wildlife Trust Car Park, Bury Road, Bolton, BL2 6DS

To book a place, or for more information: please call or message Alun on 07943541636 or contact Alun Bah Morris on Facebook.

Poster for the Pond and River Dipping session at Seven Acres Nature Reserve, Bolton. A text-based alternative of this poster is available above.

 Tuesday 26 August 2025, 2pm to 4pm: Beekeeping, Games, Crafts, and Activities at Red Lane Growing Project — open to all

Tap here to go back to the list of events

Head down to Red Lane Growing Project for:

  • Beekeeping
  • Sandpit and paddling pools
  • Outdoor games
  • Crafts
  • S'mores
  • And more

There's no need to book. Just turn up.

Address: Red Lane Community Growing Project, 8 to 10 Red Lane, Bolton, BL2 5BL

For more information: please call or message Alun on 07943541636 or contact Alun Bah Morris on Facebook.

Poster for the event at Red Lane Growing Project on Tuesday 19 August. A text-based alternative is available above this image.

 Wednesday 27 August 2025, 10am to 12pm: Pond Dipping at Doffcocker Lodge — open to all

Tap here to go back to the list of events

Grab your nets and join us for a fun-filled family pond dipping session: discover the amazing creatures living just beneath the surface.

There's no need to book onto this event, just come down. Please wear clothing and footwear suitable for the weather.

Address: meet at the entrance to Doffcocker Lodge near Ripon Avenue, Bolton, BL1 5PF

To book a place, or for more information: please call or message Alun on 07943541636 or contact Alun Bah Morris on Facebook.

A copy of the poster for the Pond Dipping sessions at Doffcocker Lodge, Bolton (for the second date in August). A text-based alternative of this image is available above.