Dear Parents and carers,
The Holiday Activities and Food Programme is an initiative funded by the Department for Education to provide a programme of funded activities during the school holidays aimed to get children who attend to:
- Eat more healthily over the school holidays
- Be more active during the school holidays
- Take part in engaging and enriching activities which support the development of resilience, character and wellbeing along with their wider educational attainment
- Be safe and not to be socially isolated
- Have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition
- Be more engaged with school and other local services
Programmes can be led by a range of organisations. From across the public, private and community and voluntary sectors, they must offer a range of catering, sports and physical activity and enrichment activities.
Who can access the programme?
The holiday activities and food programme is available to all children and young people aged 4 – 16 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
What’s included?
Each eligible child or young person will be able to access up to 4 days provision of the holidays. Each provider will offer:
- One meal during the session
- Enjoyable activities. These vary from provider to provider but may include creative, enriching or physical activities
- Socialising and friendly spaces to build relationships
- Guidance and signposting for parents and carers to support your family
How do I register?
- View the activities that are in each of the townships; Heywood, Rochdale, Middleton and Pennines.
- Each provider will take their own bookings. The booking information will be under the activities on offer.
- Check with the provider that the programme is suitable for your child’s age range and any additional needs your child has.
- Programme places are offered on a first come first served basis. Where a programme is full, you can register with alternative providers
Booking and session information will go live from Friday 18 March 2022.