Wombourne KOSSMIC, or Kids of South Staffordshire Making It Count, provides children with a four week schedule of events, with days out, sporting competitions, prizes and a drop-in centre during the summer holidays.
Set up in 1998 for children in Wombourne, the scheme has gone from strength to strength and now attracts around 250 children from around South Staffordshire and has South Staffordshire MP Sir Patrick Cormack as its Honourary President.
The scheme has a drop-in centre at Ounsdale School in Wombourne in the summer holidays, where children have access to sports equipment and other entertainment including full size pool tables, air hockey tables, football, table tennis and a wide range of outdoor games.
The scheme gives the kids a sense of confidence, and it helps integrate new pupils to the area, encouraging them to meet pupils before they start school.
Over the last few years children have also enjoyed days out to the National Space Centre in Leicester, a visit to Old Trafford, Chester Zoo and other popular attractions such as Alton Towers, Drayton Manor, Laser Quest and Waterworld. We are always looking for new places to visit, having introduced three new trips this year.
KOSSMIC is run by volunteers, who are required to have enhanced CRB disclosures, and work hard to secure funding so there is no cost to children for the village events, with only a minimal charge for the days out. In previous years, the scheme has attracted financial support from Lloyds TSB, McCain Chips, Wolverhampton Masonic Lodge as well as parish councils in Wombourne, Trysull and Lower Penn and the South Staffordshire Housing Association. In 2005 we were lucky to get a grant from the Lottery to help fund a pantomime.