Holiday activities and food clubs open for Stockport children this Christmas

Stockport children in receipt of means-tested free school meals will once again be eligible to access free Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) clubs during the upcoming school holidays. The clubs will offer a range of fun activities such as sports and arts and crafts, as well as provide a nutritious meal every day that they run.

School holidays are often a tough time for some families, with increased costs including food and childcare, and a reduction in income. It is hoped that the free clubs will help bridge the ‘holiday experience gap’ and help all children in Stockport have a happy and healthy holiday.

Children not on free school meals but still want to join in the fun? There are limited additional paid places available at some clubs, so all Stockport children will have the opportunity to join these fantastic events.

The clubs are made possible by the Holiday Activity Fund from the Department for Education. It looks to ensure that children eat healthily and take part in activities that are enriching for their emotional development, whilst ensuring they are not left socially isolated.

Families with children eligible for free places on the HAF clubs programme should receive a personalised letter in the coming weeks inviting them to book a place.

To see what clubs are on in your area of Stockport and apply for a place, visit https://www.stockport.gov.uk/HAF.

Councillor Amanda Peers, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Neighbourhoods, commented: “The HAF programme is just one strand of our support package for families over the winter break. We saw childcare providers offer a fantastic response to the call out for summer activities for children, and we know the programme proved very popular with families, so we are thrilled to be able to offer it again this Christmas.

“Whether your child is eligible for a free place or not, I encourage all families to consider booking their children onto the HAF programme to guarantee them a fun and safe winter school holidays, one where you know they’re getting great entertainment and a healthy meal included.”

The HAF programme will run alongside the holiday support vouchers scheme this school holidays, to offer families of children on means-tested free school meals a wrap-around package of support over the Christmas break.

To find out more about the programme, visit https://www.stockport.gov.uk/HAF.