The council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is helping to ensure children have a fun and healthy summer break.
Research has shown that children from low-income households are more likely to experience ‘unhealthy’ school holidays in terms of what they eat and how physically active they are.
The HAF programme helps by providing free holiday clubs for children and young people receiving benefits-related free school meals from reception to Year 11.
It offers 16 days of face-to-face sessions during the summer holidays, and four days during both the Easter and Christmas holidays.
The summer programme runs from 24 July to 5 September, with over 130 HAF clubs based at various locations across the county, including sports clubs, forest schools, libraries, early years settings, leisure centres and schools.
Each club is unique and offers a wide variety of enriching activities to accommodate different needs, likes and dislikes.
Each club is designed to ensure a high-quality experience for children and young people, and they also provide healthy and nutritious meals to go with all the physical activity.
Those attending HAF clubs are found to develop a greater understanding of food, nutrition and other health-related issues. They also make new friends and have fun.
Examples of the activities on offer include sports and games, music, drama, arts and crafts, cooking, visits to places of interest and so much more.
HAF ‘e-vouchers’ will be issued by schools to all eligible children and young people so they can book on to a club.
Cllr Mrs Patricia Bradwell OBE, executive member for children’s services, said: “The HAF programme is making a real difference to the lives of thousands of children and young people across the county.
“Our providers really do go above and beyond to provide an experience to remember, while also explaining the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
"Thousands of children have already taken part in our previous programmes, with many families reporting that the clubs are a lifeline. If your family is eligible, don't let your child miss out."
The HAF programme has been made possible thanks to £5.3m of government funding, with further money to be announced for 2024. The council can use 15% of the funding to offer places to other vulnerable children, including young carers, children in care and children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.
For further information visit the Holiday Activities and Food programme page.