One of the biggest blessings to many Marlborough parents during the school holidays is the SuperKids Trust holiday programme.

Over 15 years ago Kevin Simmonds, a local Marlborough resident, had a dream to start SuperKids after seeing a real need in the community for an affordable, safe programme for working parents to access during the school holidays.   

In 1996, the first SuperKids holiday programme was run for children aged between 6 and 12 years old; over 60 children attended this first programme.  The Holiday Programme became so popular that in 2001, the ‘SuperKids Trust’ was formed to provide even more services to the community.  Top quality holiday programmes AND after school activities for children in the community are now available.   

Sonia Cowie, SuperKids Administrator, says that in addition to the Holiday Programme they decided to run courses including; Divorce/Separation Recovery, Anger Management, Self-esteem, Grief and Loss, and Safety and Protection programmes to help children and their families.   

“These programmes aim to cater for the spiritual, emotional, physical and mental well being of the children.  They are made accessible and affordable so they can benefit all families in the community,” says Sonia.  

The programmes and course are run by two paid staff, paid by the Blenheim Elim Church, and between 40 to 50 volunteers who range in age from 14 to 60 years old.   

“Without the help of volunteers, their passion and dedication to the programme we could not offer these sorts of opportunities for the community,” says Sonia. 

In 2005, the Trust’s volunteers were honoured for their commitment by being named the Supreme Winner at the 2005 TrustPower Marlborough Community Awards and represented Marlborough at the TrustPower National Community Awards.  

Four years on and the Trust has grown to incorporate more children, more volunteers and more activities.  They are helping more Marlborough families and teaching the next generation valuable life skills. 

“Since going to the Nationals we have seen hundreds and hundreds of kids come through the programme and many families helped through the courses,” says Sonia. 

Since the Trust’s dream of the Holiday Programme began, the level of voluntary input required to keep the programmes running has increased massively, as has the programme’s popularity. 

“While in the beginning there were about 60 children on the roll, today we have anywhere between 300 to 400 children who come along each school holidays,” says Sonia. 

You can see why the programmes are so popular when you read the list of activities on offer. From riding the large inflatables, to riding the 4- wheel motorbikes, playing on the go-karts, having a go at archery or clay modelling, there is so much for the children to do and they look forward to the programme each holiday.  All the activities, along with morning tea, are included in the $8.00 a day/per child cost.  For some families that cost is still unaffordable and for them the fee is often reduced. 

A six year old who was booked in for the first day of the holiday programme ended up coming every day, “I love Superkids it so much fun, I want to come every day,” he said. 

A valuable part of the programme is that many teenagers who came to the programme when they were younger are coming back and training as junior leaders, to volunteer and pass on the skills they learnt to the younger generation. Sonia says one of the junior leaders who is not yet old enough to wear the leaders vest is so excited about being old enough to help out in more responsible ways. She is thrilled to have such keen leaders coming up in the team. 

The community of Marlborough is very supportive of the work done by SuperKids.   

“We have been helped by a number of businesses, trusts and individuals in the community.  Without them the Holiday Programmes would not be where they are today,” says Sonia.  

The Marlborough SuperKids Trust Holiday Programme is so successful that people from Dunedin and Hamilton communities have come to view the programme in action so that they can set up similar programmes in their areas. 

Sadly, Kevin Simmonds, whose dream it was to start SuperKids, passed away suddenly in February 2009.  His dream and legacy of the programme will continue for many years to come. 

“We thank Kevin so much for his vision that is helping so many in the community,” says the team at SuperKids. 

SuperKids Trust is helping families in today’s fast-paced, hard-working family environment.  The work of the Trust makes a huge difference in the Marlborough community and would not be possible without the thousands of hours invested in the Trust every year by volunteers.   

For more information about ‘SuperKids Trust Marlborough’ please contact Sonia Cowie on 03 578 9053 or email admin@theelimcentre.com .