CHILDREN and young people in Leicester who receive benefits-related free school meals are being invited to sign up for a free programme of summer activities before the deadline on Sunday (26 June).
Starting on Monday 11 July, the sessions will include activities such as art, sport, outdoor fun 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 16 – 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 £1.5m to Leicester to provide food and activities for children on free school meals during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.
“The funding means we can build on the success of the programmes we delivered last year and reach even more children this summer.
“There’s a wide range of activities on offer at sites around the city, but places are limited so please register as soon as you can – and certainly before the deadline on Sunday 26 June – if you’d like your child to take part in the programme.”
Information about the Holiday Activities & Food programme has been circulated to eligible families via schools.
Families with children who receive benefits-related free schools can register for a place on the Holiday Activities & Food programme at families.leicester.gov.uk/haf
The holiday programme starts on 11 July and continues for seven weeks.
Eligible families can sign up to four programmes in total, with each programme lasting a week.
The closing date for those wishing to register for the sessions is Sunday 26 June.