Free activities in Cornwall for children during school holidays funded for three years
The Time2Move programme aims to support families who might be struggling
A programme helping young people in Cornwall stay active during the Easter holidays has received funding to continue for at least three years.
Time 2 Move aims to help children who's families may be struggling to be active over the holidays, and offers them a free meal outside of school time.
Tim Marrion, Active Cornwall, said: “After the success of running the sessions in 2021 we’re delighted to have more providers, offering more activities for children in Cornwall this Easter.
"We're working with lots of schools, delivering that safe space for children come along and be active, engage with fellow peers and friends and get that meal as well which is really really important because we know that young people struggle during the holidays to access that food provision which is so needed to give them that energy in the first place.
“The programme offers families who might struggle during the holidays the opportunity to send their children to a fun and entertaining activity, knowing they’ll receive a free healthy meal while they attend.”
It comes as 15 thousand children are eligible for free school meals in the Duchy, which is a rise from 12.5 thousand in 2021.
Following the success in it's pilot year where it saw 28,089 children booked on 193 activities across the programme, the scheme has recieved funding of over £200m each year nationally.
It's aimed at giving children the chance to take part in free fun activities during the school holidays and support families on low incomes who are more likely to experience ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of nutrition and physical health.
Tim said: “This three-year funding provides important stability to the programme and our much valued providers we have in Cornwall to build and develop the programme.
“We want to grow and enhance our programme to offer more children amazing opportunities to be active and eat healthy over the holidays and look forward to working with colleagues, providers and families to achieve this.”
The website is taking bookings for the Easter activities which will run from April 11th – 14th and 19th – 22nd, and is open to anyone aged 5-16 years old, including those not receiving Free School Meals.
Tim said: “We want to simplify the system and make it as easy as possible for people to book. These codes will replace any previous codes sent out by schools last year.”
For more information on the programme you can call 01872 323335 or email TimeMove.HolidayProgramme@cornwall.gov.uk.