Government funding helps set up Walsall holiday activity programme
A new school holiday activity programme in Walsall has been set up following government funding.
The £1.7 million Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme aims to provide healthy food and enriching activities during the school holidays to the 13,500 children who receive benefits-related free school meals in Walsall.
It will offer valuable support to families on lower incomes, giving them the opportunity to access a range of activities, alongside healthy meals, during the school holidays.
Councillor Tim Wilson, portfolio holder for children’s services, said it would enable the council to provide much-needed support to families who are struggling.
He said: "It is a priority for us that children in Walsall have the best possible start in life and this funding will help us to address the concerns raised by the national research.
"The programme also offers access to extra support through sign-posting to key agencies for those families who need it."
On March 19, Walsall Council will be sending out the activity programme to those who have registered with instructions on how to claim their food box and how to book onto activities.
Online booking can take place from Monday, March 22 and families will be able to book children onto as many activities as they want, pending availability, as well as selecting a food box.
All activities will be delivered throughout the Easter Holiday from Monday, April 6 to Friday, April 16.
