Local parents and carers are being asked for their views on what activities they would like to see for their children in the town to get them back out and socialising.

Lee Hawkes of Dorset Holiday Clubs wants to set up a series of kids' activities, sports and arts camps and courses in and around Dorchester for children aged five to 15 during the summer holidays, provided restrictions are lifted by that time.

Lee ran international summer schools from 2014 to 2019, in which children come to the UK from abroad in order to practice their English, go on excursions, play sports and more. However, this ended in 2020 when the pandemic hit.

He said: "I am instead looking at similar provisions for local children.

"Also, in my previous place of work - in East Sussex - I was responsible for researching and setting up two holiday childcare projects for local children.

"The 'mission' part of it stems from the fact that children have been locked away for a year now and the implications for their mental and physical health are really dire. We, the grown-ups, owe it to our kids to get them out and about and socialising as much and as soon as possible.

"I know a thing or two about running summer schools and summer camps and all that working with children entails, but I am fairly new to Dorset, my wife grew up here which is why we recently moved back here, so I'm reaching out to locals for their thoughts, advice and guidance."

Lee wants to reach out to local schools to see if they have any plans to run summer schools or sessions and to see if they would like any help or support in setting them up, arrange for sports and arts coaching/tuition at various hired venues and offer day trip excursions, taking groups of children to museums, castles, swimming pools, beaches and more.

He is looking at hiring a comparatively large number of people, particularly sports and arts specialists and those with any skills which translate well to working with and for children on a fixed-term basis throughout the summer holiday period.

It's hoped Dorset Holiday Clubs could act as a hub for existing childcare, leisure and entertainment providers so that people can book, or find out about them through its website.

To share your thoughts and ideas, email Lee at [email protected]

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