Book now for free children’s Easter holiday activities

Wednesday, 22 March 2023 15:45

By David Murphy

Thousands of children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals can once again take part in free school holiday activities during the Easter break.

The Easter Holiday Activities and Food Programme follows the success of the Summer and Christmas 2022 schemes.

There is an impressive range of activities planned over the Easter holidays, with everything from sports, arts and crafts to forest adventure, food exploration and more.

The activities will take place from Monday 3 April to Friday 14 April 2023 with parents or carers of eligible children able to book up to four 4-hour sessions for each child over the holiday activity period.

The face-to-face activities are free for around 6,500 children who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals, and each activity includes a healthy meal.

The activities are available to all eligible children, regardless of ability or disability, and they are taking place on different days and times to ensure that children from all of our communities have a chance can take part.

Our booking system will make it easier for parents and carers of eligible children to book on to the activities. Parents and carers of eligible children will have received information about how to access and use the booking system. You can find out more here: https://www.bury.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=17150

Children who do not receive free school meals may be able to take part in activities, but this depends on demand for places. Contact the HAF team on haf@bury.gov.ukfor further details.

Bury Council is working with the Bury Voluntary, Community and Faith Alliance and providers of holiday activities to deliver the Easter programme.

The Department for Education is funding the cost of organising and providing the activities through its national Holiday Activities and Food programme.

Parents and carers whose children are eligible have been sent a letter to invite them to book for the activities.

Councillor Lucy Smith, cabinet member for children and young people, said: “During the Easter holidays we once again have a fantastic range of activities on offer. They have been put on by local childcare providers, community groups, sports organisations and a host of other local and community partners, so there really is something for everyone.”

Feedback from previous schemes:

The vast majority of parents praised the activities programmes. They cited how happy their children were, in safe hands, making new friends and getting a healthy meal.

“Having two children and being a single parent, financially it was always difficult and a worry when school holidays were approaching. HAF has eased that pressure massively. I know my boys are looked after so well by the staff and given a nice meal with no additional cost for me, which makes the challenges that little bit easier.”

“This has helped me break up the holidays and not have my son at home with loads of energy to burn.”

“It allowed my son a break from being a young carer and not always having screen time to actually be with people outside of school.”

“It enabled me to work during the holidays whereas before I could not due to babysitting issues.”

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