Hampshire children eligible for free school meals urged not to miss out on Christmas holiday scheme
Council encourages parents not to miss out on free initiative
Hampshire County Council is encouraging parents and carers whose children are or may be eligible for benefits related free school meals to sign-up, so they do not miss out on free holiday and food scheme spaces.
It comes after more than 10,000 Hampshire children benefited from free places during this year’s summer holiday.
Children of all ages took part over the summer and enjoyed a wide range of activities, from dance and theatre workshops to sports and outdoor programmes.
Each day a child attended they were also provided with a nutritious meal.
There were free spaces for children who receive benefits-related free school meals as well as paid-for places available.
Councillor Roz Chadd, the County Council’s Executive Lead Member for Children’s Services, said:
“I am delighted that so many Hampshire children took part in these schemes over summer, and I hope many of them return for our Christmas holiday offer. School holidays can be difficult for some families because of reduced incomes and the added expense of food and childcare. It has also been especially challenging because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, I urge parents and carers to make sure their children are signed up for free school meals if they qualify so they can access these schemes."
“I am confident that children feel more prepared for a return to the classroom after participating in these schemes. This is thanks to a diverse programme that enables children to socialise together, take part in enriching activities and eat a nutritious meal each day over the holidays. All things that might not have been possible for families facing hardship.”
The Holiday Activity and Food programme summer scheme at-a-glance:
• 10,468 children eligible for Free School Meals took part
• 45,000 hot meals served
• 75,000 4-hour sessions provided
The Department for Education provides funding to local authorities - as part of their Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme - to coordinate schemes that offer healthy food and enriching activities to children eligible for free school meals during the 2021 school holidays. Hampshire County Council works alongside its partnership to deliver a variety of clubs and activities through the connect4communities initiative.
The aim of the HAF programme is to make free places available to eligible children for the equivalent of at least four hours a day, four days a week and for six weeks a year. This covers four weeks in the summer and a week’s worth of provision in the 2021 Easter and Christmas holidays.
Councillor Chadd added:
“We have received many excellent applications from potential providers for the Christmas holiday and plan to announce the successful applicants in the next few weeks. Residents should keep an eye out for what is on offer locally so their families do not miss out on opportunities.”
Parents and carers can sign up for free school meals using the Hampshire Online FSM Application (cloudforedu.org.uk) and find out what activities are offer in their area by searching the Family Information and Services Hub