BCP Council has been awarded funding of £1 million by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver a programme of activities with local providers to children aged 5 to 16.
Those in receipt of benefits-related free school meals during the school holidays are welcome to apply.
The scheme was successfully trialed over the Easter Holidays when 3,382 activity and food places were funded across 15 different providers, reaching approximately 1,000 local children.
Following the success of the pilot scheme over Easter, BCP Council is now seeking a diverse range of food and activity providers for the scheme roll out over the summer.
The groups and activities that took place received great feedback from the children who took part, their families and activities providers. Easter holiday activities included: mountain biking, dance classes, trips out to the beach, den making, archery, football, yoga, gardening, tag rugby, dodgeball, arts and crafts, circus skills and more.
Councillor Mike White, Portfolio holder for Children and Young people at BCP Council said: “School holidays can be difficult for many families with increased costs for food and childcare, particularly this year with the impact of COVID-19 on family resources. We all want our children to return to school physically and mentally ready for the term ahead and it is important for children and young people to engage in activities, keep healthy and stay connected.
“We are pleased to have secured funding and look forward to working with local providers to be able to address this issue and provide consistent and easily accessible sessions that include activities and a meal for local children to enjoy and help support families.”
More information on the Holiday activities and food programme (HAF) can be found online here.