Monday, 5th July 2021
If so, they may be eligible for free activities and food through the Fun Vibes, Active Lives programme - Pendle’s Holiday Activities and Food programme.
Throughout the summer holidays, a range of providers will deliver sessions such as sports, creative activities and days out - providing lots of opportunities for children and young people to get out and about and keep well and active during the school holidays.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAaF) programme - funded by the Department for Education – also provides free, nutritious meals for those eligible.
Paid-for places are also available for children and young people wanting to take advantage of the activities during the summer break.
The aim of the programme is to make free places available to children eligible for benefits-related free school meals for the equivalent of at least 4 hours a day, 4 days a week, for 5 weeks.
Councillor Nadeem Ahmed, Leader of Pendle Council, said: “It’s so important that we are able to support families during the school holidays.
“School holidays can be particularly daunting times for some families because of increased costs - such as food and childcare - and reduced incomes.
“For children from disadvantaged families, this can lead to a holiday experience gap.
“Through this fantastic programme we can make sure that our youngsters have access to some really fun activities.”
These free holiday clubs are a response to this issue and evidence suggests that they can have a positive impact on children and young people.
Alison Goode, Pendle Leisure Trust’s Chief Executive, said: “We are pleased to be working on this project with Pendle Council – and involved as one of the providers of activities.
“We feel this programme is a great way to include these children and young people in activities they would not normally have access to - especially this year, when health and well-being has been at the forefront of thinking for leisure providers like ourselves.”