More than 1,500 children to benefit from summer Holiday Activities and Food

More than 1,500 children are set to benefit from free food and activities this summer.

Shropshire Council is working with local schools, voluntary and community organisations and childcare providers to run an exciting Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme this summer.

The scheme offers free places to children and young people aged 4 to 16, who are eligible for free school meals or have been referred by a professional.

Children visiting the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre during the Easter HAF programme

Children are invited to take part in a range of fun activities happening at over 58 venues across the county from Monday 25 July to Friday 2 September 2022.

There is something on offer for everyone, including sports, arts, cooking, forest schools and other exciting opportunities. Free nutritious meals will be provided at each session, as well as information on nutrition to benefit the whole family.

Information about the summer programme and booking details will start arriving in schools from Monday 20 June 2022.

Some of the holiday programmes also include spaces for children and young people who are not in receipt of free school meals.

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:-

We are incredibly proud of our HAF programme in Shropshire. More than 1,200 children and young people eligible for free school meals had access to free food and activities during the Easter half-term.

This summer 30 organisations have received funding to run 65 programmes, which will be delivered over 665 sessions to more than 1,600 children across the county. More than 60% of these activities will be accessible to children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities.

For more information on HAF in Shropshire, for a copy of the What’s On Guide and to sign up to the HAF enews, click here.

For more information email haf.programme@shropshire.gov.uk