Wiltshire Council's FUEL programme to return this Easter
The activity and food runs each school holidays for eligible children
Wiltshire Council’s FUEL programme is to return for the Easter holidays following the success of the activities delivered last year across the county.
FUEL (Food, Unity, Energy and Laughter) is funded by the Department for Education and provides children who are eligible for the programme with free access to activity, food and nutritional education during school holidays.
The local authority's working with a range of community organisations to provide free activities, nutritional meals and food workshops for children eligible for the programme.
Activities include multi-sports, robotics, animal care, gymnastics, forest school, performing arts and creative arts.
There's also a programme set up for SEND children with sessions taking place in Salisbury, as well as in Corsham.
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Public Health said:
“It is really positive that we have once again been allocated government funding to deliver the FUEL programme in 2024 during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays.
“We know that the school holidays can be pressure points for some families because of increased costs. FUEL aims to tackle the triple inequalities of holiday hunger, physical inactivity, and social isolation. It provides free of charge activities and food for children and young people who are of school age up to the end of Year 11 and eligible for the programme, and they all have a lot of fun together.”
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills said:
“I am delighted that the FUEL programme will continue to provide children with opportunities to have the best start in life during 2024.
“In 2023, nearly 18,500 meals were provided for just over 2,000 children attending FUEL activities. We hope that those eligible will take advantage of the programme and that it helps as many families as possible at a particularly busy time of the year.”
Bookings can be made and managed through the council’s centralised booking system. |newtab)
Registration will remain open until 27th March.