By Council seeking organisations in North East Lincolnshire to host holiday activities for children
North East Lincolnshire Council are managing a new programme with activities designed to help take the pressure off of parents during school holidays and help to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable children.
The council have taken the reigns of the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme, which is being rolled out across England.
They are seeking local activity providers in the form of organisations and community champions to host free activities for disadvantaged children of school age.
Each activity must offer food as part of the programme and funding will be available to sponsor each session.
A statement from North East Lincolnshire Council says: “The programme is aimed at reducing social isolation, improving access to out-of-school activities for vulnerable children, and tackling so-called ‘unhealthy holidays’ by improving children’s physical health and nutrition during the school break.
“Activities will be aimed at school-age children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
“Each activity must offer fun and enriching activities that offer children the chance to learn and develop. Activity providers should also offer food as part of the programme.”
Councillor Ian Lindley, portfolio holder for children, education and skills at North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “COVID-19 has undoubtedly had an impact on the education and wellbeing of children and young people, and it’s vital that we take this opportunity to tackle some of that.
“This programme is an opportunity for our most vulnerable children to access fun and engaging activities and good, healthy food during the break from school.
“Parents have had it tough during the last year too and one of the benefits of this programme is that some of the pressure around keeping kids entertained during the break is lifted.
“I’m inviting our wonderful organisations and local volunteers to come forward and bid to host activities for our young people. Let’s really make these holidays special.”
If you’re a local organisation and you’d like to apply to provide a session, you can find more information here.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 11th June 2021.
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