CHILDREN and young people in Leicester who receive free school meals are being invited to sign up for a free programme of activities over the summer holidays.
Starting on Monday (12 July), the sessions will include activities such as art, sport and music – and each child taking part will receive a healthy meal as part of the session.
Funding for the scheme has come from the government’s Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF), which wants to help children from low-income families be active and eat well this summer.
In Leicester, the activities – suitable for children aged from 4 to 17 – are being organised by around 40 providers at sites around the city.
Places, however, are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis to eligible families.
Deputy city mayor Cllr Sarah Russell said: “This year, the government allocated £1.6m to Leicester to provide food and activities for children on free school meals during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.
“The funding means we’ll be able to reach far more children this summer than we have in previous years, when a handful of fantastic community groups supported as many children as they could during the summer holidays.
“There’s a wide range of activities on offer at sites around the city, but places are limited so please register now, if you’d like your child to take part in the programme.”
Information about Leicester's Holiday Activities & Food programme has been circulated to eligible families via schools.
Families with children on free schools can register for a place on the Holiday Activities & Food programme here
The holiday programme starts on 12 July and continues for seven weeks.