Edsential alongside the Council and partners is set to spread the festive cheer with free activities and food this winter
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, co-ordinated by Edsential alongside Cheshire West and Chester Council is set to support thousands of children and their families with free festive activities and food, at a time when it is needed the most.
Thanks to vital funding from the Department for Education and the Council, during the winter school holidays, children in receipt of free school meals will be ending the year on a high with a choice of 47 free activity clubs. Providers across the borough will be offering a range of delicious food, amazing free festive hampers, and fun, enriching new experiences, such as family day trips to Chester Zoo, the pantomime, Santa's grotto and much more. As part of the programme this Winter, Edsential and the Council are excited to also offer 'Let's Cook' boxes for young people and their families to cook at home.
Youth Zones, operated by the Council's Youth Service, will be providing eligible children and young people across the borough with a winter fun activity programme. The programme will include a Christmas party, arts and crafts, games, sports and an exciting trip, all accompanied by a healthy balanced hot meal.
A number of organisations across west Cheshire have been funded to deliver SEND specific HAF sessions, these include ten pin bowling, a pantomime visit, festive fun arts and crafts, community cookery as well as much more, all including a healthy meal.
Brio Leisure will also be running a variety of HAF activity programmes from sites across the borough, all of which will include a healthy meal. Their SEND Multisport/Sports Camps provide the perfect opportunity for young people to try their hand at a range of sports regardless of ability or experience. Young people will also be able to make a splash in one of their SEND Fun and Floats sessions with interactive floats, balls, and noodles for all the family.
Edsential, the Council and providers are looking forward to spreading some Christmas cheer for the second year in a row. Last winter over 3,000 children and their families received support, thanks to the HAF programme. One grandparent said:
Thank you so much honestly it was a truly wonderful and magical day and made all the better by having wonderful staff who went above and beyond. Well done to you all and thanks again for making it possible for myself and my Granddaughter to be able to go somewhere so special.
This winter, Edsential and the Council want to ensure as many people as possible have an unforgettable winter and receive the essential support they need. Heather Lewis, Holiday Activities with Food programme Manager, said:
Edsential are thrilled to have the opportunity to manage and coordinate the winter Holiday Activities with Food programme on behalf of Cheshire West and Chester Council. This winter, there are lots of incredible activities planned for children, young people, and their families. It is important now, more than ever, that families can access the support that is available to them. We want to ensure as many families as possible are aware of their eligibility for the HAF programme as well hot, tasty nutritious meals during school term time. You can check if your child is eligible by visiting: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals.
The Summer HAF programme benefitted over 4,000 children and their families across west Cheshire.
Councillor Robert Cernik, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said:
The Holiday Activities with Food Programme provides vital support to families during the school holidays. This year it is more important than ever that families take up the support available from the winter programme to ensure that they are getting the support that they need. The holiday activity clubs that are funded through the HAF scheme ensure that children and young people have the opportunity to enjoy and learn new skills over the school holidays and access tasty, nutritious meals, whilst making new friends and most importantly having fun. I am delighted that the HAF Programme has continued to prove its success over the last year and that once again there is a huge range of fantastic activities planned for children and young people this winter.
Further information on the HAF Programme with details of clubs and how to book, is available on both the Edsential website and Live Well Cheshire West: