Minister visits government funded activities for children on free school meals

MP Will Quince, Minister for children and families at the Department for Education, made a visit to the government funded Holiday Activities and Food programme today (12 April) at Crewe Lifestyle Centre.

The aim of the programme is to ensure that children and young people eligible for free school meals eat more healthily, are more active over the school holidays, learn about health nutrition and enjoy time with other children in a safe environment.

Cheshire East Council has worked together with local schools, childcare providers and community and voluntary organisations to offer thousands of free places for activities over the Easter school holidays. 

The Minister saw first-hand, children making new friends and enjoying activities such as arts and crafts, sports hall activities including crash mat surfing, hockey, football, benchball and dodgeball. A local police community support officer or PCSO also engaged with the children with the aim of building positive relationships with the police.

The activities at Crewe Lifestyle Centre were delivered by Everybody Sport and Recreation who are responsible for delivering leisure services and public health initiatives in partnership with Cheshire East Council.

Minister for Children and Families, Will Quince, said: “Crewe Lifestyle Centre’s Holiday, Activities and Food (HAF) programme is exemplary. I’ve been on a tour of HAF clubs this week and it’s great to see the real benefits they are having on children’s nutrition, health and wellbeing and even helping them make friends.  

“I’ve really loved seeing the range of arts and crafts and sport here, from swimming to board games as well as the focus on building strong positive relationships with the community and local police force. It’s exactly why we expanded the programme nationwide and why we will continue to back HAF clubs by over £200 million every year, for next three years.”

Councillor Carol Bulman, vice chair of the children and families committee at Cheshire East Council, said: “This is the fourth round of activities that have been organised to cover the school holidays and thanks to our amazing schools, childcare providers and community and voluntary organisations, we are going from strength to strength.

“The feedback we receive from parents and carers is amazing, saying that their children are full of joy at the end of the sessions, that they have made new friends and the activities are inclusive.

“Importantly the children receive a healthy meal and snacks, and they tell us they have learnt many new skills from how to make a brownie to building a camp.

“Activities such as these are a delight to visit and see for ourselves that by working together, we can make Cheshire East a great place to be young.”

Thomas Barton, chief executive of Everybody Sport and Recreation, said: “Our active holiday sessions have been so positive for all the children, families, staff and volunteers involved. 

“They are always full of energy with such a variety of fun activities; where the children meet new people and learn new skills, from sports to crafts there's always something to interest and involve each child.”

For more information about the programme visit:

www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/HAF