Fun day marks a memorable end to summer holidays

Our fourth annual fun day was a brilliant success, welcoming nearly 1,500 customers to the Beacon of Light for a vibrant celebration of community, connection, and summer fun. 

The free ticketed event was designed to give back to our communities, offering families a chance to make lasting memories during the school holidays. The Beacon of Light was transformed into a hub of activity, with entertainment and support spread across classrooms, sports halls, and outdoor pitches. 

Highlights included bouncy castles, soft play zones, disability multisport sessions, football challenges, a UV dance party, and sensory spaces. Gentoo colleagues from Housing, Repairs, Money Matters and Customer Voice were on hand to offer advice and support throughout the day. 


 
The event also featured a dedicated free school uniform distribution area, part of our ongoing commitment to ensuring families could access essential items ahead of the new school term.  

Executive Director of Customer, People and Engagement, Susan Fulton, commented: 

“We’re proud to host events like this that bring our communities together. These fun days are more than just entertainment, it’s about community, support, and creating experiences for families across Sunderland.” 

In addition to Gentoo teams, partners including Barclays, SMART City, Sunderland GP Alliance, and We Make Culture were in attendance to offer further support and advice to customers. 

A customer who attended the fun day with his family, said:  

“It gets you out of the house. It’s great for the little one to mix and make new friends. It’s good to be out and seeing the different activities you can do. It’s something we wouldn’t normally get to do in the house like cookery and decorating cakes.” 

Building on the success of previous fun days, Gentoo expanded ticket availability to meet growing demand and ensure even more customers could take part in the celebrations and enjoy a memorable day out. 

Latest articles

29 August 2025

Fun day marks a memorable end to summer holidays

Our fourth annual fun day was a brilliant success, welcoming nearly 1,500 customers to the Beacon...

20 August 2025

Changes to how we let our new build homes

We know that finding a home in Sunderland is becoming more difficult. Right now, 19,484 people ar...

19 August 2025

New housing model to enhance customer support

We have launched a new housing model that will transform how we deliver services to customers and...