Michael Jones's 2021 Summer Business Plans

Today we're talking to Michael Jones who is managing director of Just For Fun Holiday Club. The company is based at three primary schools in Swindon currently: Grange Juniors, Holy Cross & Goddard Park. During the school holidays the team supply childcare in the format of a holiday club. They provide a safe and fun environment for children between the ages of four to 13 to come and explore various team games, art and craft activities and child-led play.

May is the last month of Spring – how has Spring been for you so far? 

Spring has been a busy one for the Just For Fun Team, we welcomed many children, both new and regular faces to our club in the Easter Holidays. We broke our previous record for the number of children that attended club on one day since we opened four years ago. Even with Covid19 restrictions in place we managed to have a fun filled easter. We were able to enjoy the sunshine but also the snow that we saw briefly.

We are now looking forward to and making sure we are ready for both the Whitsun half term and the summer holidays.

What are your plans for the Summer – for your business and for you? 

We will be open across all of our venues in the summer which will continue to see us grow and make sure we are providing that fun and safe haven for all who join us. We are currently going through a recruitment process for some new coaches and assistants. We are always striving to make the business grow organically and with the staff best suited to the roles. Hopefully the sun is shining, and we can make the most of the outdoors.

Who knows we may have a fourth club to open in the summer.

What are you most looking forward this summer which you had to step away from last summer? 

Although we learnt a lot from the Covid19 restrictions and there are many things we will continue to use, I am very much looking forward to resuming our full fun schedule of activities and some of the children’s favourites such as Wacky Water Wednesdays, Inflatables and more relaxed bubbles where the children are able to play more freely with the other children. 

On a personal level I would love to take my family away to spend some quality time with them and also the freedom to see friends who I haven’t been able to see for over a year.

May is National Walking Month, and walking was an activity which was one thing we could do over the last 12 months.  

During the first lockdown myself and my family would walk everyday to help clear the mind and to get some much needed fresh air. Luckily for us, just a ten minute walk would lead us to Clouts Wood, where we would walk amongst the cows, get lost on a variety of different trails in the woods and take some wonderful pictures for memories by the fast flowing stream and surrounding wildlife.

Where is your favourite place to walk? 

A walk through any forest or nature trail. I particularly enjoy Savernake Forest.

Have you got any events planned for the coming months which you’d like to mention? 

We aim to attend a few festivals in Swindon as we approach summer. Once dates and venues are confirmed we will announce on our social media.

Are you attending (have you booked) any events at all for you as a business person, or for you personally that you are really looking forward to? 

Not yet but I love meeting new people and having a laugh with the children at the festivals and fetes we attend.

What’s your one top business tip to help others be positive about their business in May 2021? 

My philosophy in life which spills over to my business is to only do things you are passionate about. I love working with children, I love being a big kid, so I have created the perfect role for myself in Just for Fun. 

When I am putting in all the hours it does not drag and the job aids me to feel fulfilled, and to be my happy and fun self. So, my top tip is to do something you are passionate about and something that allows you to help others.

Tell us all one funny thing about you which we won’t know and you are happy to share (make us laugh!).

As a child I hated school but now I love it (I am a teacher.)

We have had hundreds of children through our doors yet I am and will probably always be the biggest one of all.

Have you got any Spring services or special offers you’d like to mention? 

From Tuesday the 1st of June to Friday the 4th of June we are running Just For Fun. We offer a sibling discount of 20%. Please visit our website for booking - https://justforfunholidayclub.co.uk

And finally:

As a child in and out of foster care, my fondest memories come from a holiday club run by a sister back in my hometown of Bermondsey in London. Here was one of a very few places I felt safe. 

I only attended a handful of times, but I will never forget the enormous amount of fun I experienced there which was never matched anywhere else in my childhood. I relaxed and became a kid in these moments. 

This is where the inspiration came from to start my own holiday club. I am super proud to be able to replicate this for many children that have come through our doors. We now strive to grow and see more children across Swindon and bring more smiles and laughter to more faces.

Thank you for taking the time to read a little more about us and what we have to offer.

For more information visit https://justforfunholidayclub.co.uk