Council aims to #BrightentheDay for even more children in Gateshead this year
We have once again been awarded Government funding to provide free activities and meals for children during the school holidays.
Funding of almost £850,000 from the Department for Education's Holiday Activities and Food Programme will allow us to provide an extended programme of healthy food and activities during Easter, May half-term, Summer, October half-term and Christmas holidays throughout 2021. We are planning on building on the success of last year's #Brightentheday programme by commencing it's programme of activities this Easter.
Alison Dunn, Strategic Lead for Poverty and Inequality said:
"We are extremely pleased, once again, to be part of the Government's Holiday Activities and Food Programme. This programme has operated successfully in Gateshead for several years. Being able to extend our offer to cover more school holidays, will allow the most vulnerable children to be able to access free activities and enjoy even more healthy and nutritious meals during the school holidays.
We are delighted with the plans in place, so far, and will continue to work with our partners and the wider community to offer our best #BrightentheDay programme to date."
During the forthcoming Easter holiday plans for more face to face activities are limited, as the easing of restrictions has only just started. However, arrangements are in place to offer families in Gateshead, who qualify for free school meals, the following:
- An Easter Cook n' Eat box with enough fresh food ingredients to cook five meals. Plans are in place to deliver 1750 boxes during the Easter holidays.
- 2000 activity packs, containing reading books, sports equipment and art and craft materials, which proved extremely popular during the first lockdown are also available.
- Free places at holiday clubs (limited to those families who have already been contacted).
Additionally, we have teamed up with neighbouring authorities to provide access for everyone to take part in a wide range of free activities from the comfort of their own living rooms. Activities including circus skills, yoga, dancing and even a chance to go on an archaeological adventure will all be available through the TV on Tyne and Wear Freeview channel 7. If you fancy trying something new check out the range of programmes, for tots to teens, between 6-9 April.
We have once again been awarded Government funding to provide free activities and meals for children during the school holidays.
Funding of almost £850,000 from the Department for Education's Holiday Activities and Food Programme will allow us to provide an extended programme of healthy food and activities during Easter, May half-term, Summer, October half-term and Christmas holidays throughout 2021. We are planning on building on the success of last year's #Brightentheday programme by commencing it's programme of activities this Easter.
Alison Dunn, Strategic Lead for Poverty and Inequality said:
"We are extremely pleased, once again, to be part of the Government's Holiday Activities and Food Programme. This programme has operated successfully in Gateshead for several years. Being able to extend our offer to cover more school holidays, will allow the most vulnerable children to be able to access free activities and enjoy even more healthy and nutritious meals during the school holidays.
We are delighted with the plans in place, so far, and will continue to work with our partners and the wider community to offer our best #BrightentheDay programme to date."
During the forthcoming Easter holiday plans for more face to face activities are limited, as the easing of restrictions has only just started. However, arrangements are in place to offer families in Gateshead, who qualify for free school meals, the following:
- An Easter Cook n' Eat box with enough fresh food ingredients to cook five meals. Plans are in place to deliver 1750 boxes during the Easter holidays.
- 2000 activity packs, containing reading books, sports equipment and art and craft materials, which proved extremely popular during the first lockdown are also available.
- Free places at holiday clubs (limited to those families who have already been contacted).
Additionally, we have teamed up with neighbouring authorities to provide access for everyone to take part in a wide range of free activities from the comfort of their own living rooms. Activities including circus skills, yoga, dancing and even a chance to go on an archaeological adventure will all be available through the TV on Tyne and Wear Freeview channel 7. If you fancy trying something new check out the range of programmes, for tots to teens, between 6-9 April.
