Enriching experiences and a nutritious lunch are being made available throughout the Christmas holidays for the children and young people of families receiving income-related free school meals.
Funded by the Department for Education, the Christmas Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme enables local authorities to coordinate free holiday scheme access locally.
The programme is available to primary and secondary school children in both Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Eligible children can attend a holiday scheme for up to 16 hours between December 22 and January 3.
All participating holiday schemes will offer a nutritious meal and a variety of fun enriching experiences such as sports, games, cooking and play opportunities.
Any child or young person receiving income-related free school meals is eligible. Cambridgeshire are also funding free access to families struggling financially and to recently arrived refugee families.
The programme will be delivered in Cambridgeshire by over 80 approved holiday scheme providers and is co-ordinated by Cambridgeshire County Council. Further information can be found at www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/haf and Early Years & Childcare | Peterborough Information Network
Both councils are working with local schools, voluntary and community organisations, and childcare providers to deliver the HAF programme.
Cllr Bryony Goodliffe, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee said: “I am delighted that this excellent scheme is being continued in Cambridgeshire throughout the Christmas holidays. The HAF programme complements the work we are already doing to educate children about the benefits of physical and creative activity and nutritious eating."
