Park Nights began in 2022 as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, with support from North Tyneside Council. What started as a way to engage harder-to-reach young people during the school holidays has since grown into a wider youth outreach programme—supporting hundreds of teenagers across the region.

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In 2025, thanks to additional funding from The National Lottery, Park Nights has expanded to 96 sessions delivered across four key locations: Wallsend, Burradon, Walker, and South Shields. Of these, 18 sessions across 3 locations continue to be delivered through HAF, ensuring young people in need still receive free, enriching holiday activities and healthy meals.

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Working alongside North Tyneside Community Safety, South Tyneside Youth Services, and local Neighbourhood Policing Teams, Park Nights targets areas identified as antisocial behaviour hotspots—providing a consistent, positive presence during high-risk times.

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Each session targets young people aged 11-16 year old and creates a safe space for teenagers to be teenagers—supported by qualified sports coaches and youth workers—through:

• Coach-led multisport

• Creative art workshops

• Live DJ sets

• Prizes & special guests!

• Access to a hot meal, from our mobile pizza van

 

By meeting young people where they are, Park Nights helps reduce antisocial behaviour, build trust, and offer meaningful alternatives.

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While it has grown beyond its original HAF model, HAF remains a core part of Park Nights, and the wider programme now forms a key strand of our detached youth work—supporting young people in their own communities, building friendships, and encouraging positive decisions for the future.