Inaugural half term kids club a success

Last week (15-26 Feb) Laing O’Rourke hosted the first week of its half-term Kids Club to help employees who are balancing childcare and work in lockdown.

Recognising the pressures of balancing childcare and work, Laing O’Rourke partnered with AOK Events to develop and run a half-term virtual kids club, attracting more than 450 children to sign up to take part over the two-week period. With 17 virtual events to choose from, including hip hop dance workshops, graffiti workshops, bake offs, musical bingo and craft sessions, along with a weekly PE session, those who signed up were spoiled for choice.

When talking about the reason behind Laing O’Rourke hosting Kids Club, Dr Kate Goodger, Head of Human Innovation and Performance at Laing O’Rourke, said: “Like many colleagues, I am trying to juggle work and support my children and it’s a challenge that colleagues have consistently told us they face; whether that’s people working from home, like me or whether it’s colleagues returning home after a day on site to stressed partners who have had to deal with active children all day.

“We created the Kids Club with a range of activities aimed at children aged 5 to 13 in a bid to offer some small relief during the February half-term. Sessions have been interactive and engaging and we have received great feedback so far.”

Roston King, Project Sites IT Engineer at Laing O’Rourke and whose children took part in Kids Club, said: “This has been a great resource for the week so far - the presenters are genuine, high-energy and engaged, so it's been very enjoyable! As we have children of various ages, it's been great to be able to mix and match the sessions with the kids so they can get the best experience.”

Annaliese Preedy, Assistant Accountant whose daughter took part in Kids Club, said: “My daughter had a great time and loved all the sessions she joined, but have to say we both had an amazing time doing Family Musical Bingo. We were both shattered after all the dancing but her highlight was winning the Full House which absolutely made her day. The hosts were amazing with all the children and it really kept her occupied over the week.”

Based on early positive feedback, Laing O’Rourke is already considering the possibility of providing Kids Club to its employees for the Easter break.