Published: Tuesday 12 December 2023
Over 3,000 healthy meals will be given to children in Kensington and Chelsea during the school Christmas holidays from a £450,000+ pot of Holiday Activity and Food programme funding.
Meals will be provided to children at youth clubs, sports clubs, and other exciting events, which will also foster learning, activity, and fun. The DfE funded scheme particularly aims to support children receiving free school meals.
During the summer holidays, the Holiday Activity and Food programme provided:
- Over 19,000 healthy meals
- Funded 33 organisations to deliver a range of youth activities such as sports, creative sessions, adventure play and sessions specifically for those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Of the 2,500 children that attended over summer:
- 508 (22 per cent) had SEND
- All 33 organisations offered SEND places or provided an inclusive offer.
Cllr Catherine Faulks, Lead Member for Family and Children’s Services, said:
“Children look forward to Christmas all year, but behind the scenes it can be a real struggle for families. One less cost to worry about is a lifeline for parents – this programme really makes a difference in their lives. I look forward to seeing our youth clubs and activity centres full with happy, well-fed children this winter.”
Families find out about available funded activities through the Our City website, which catalogues activities across Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster. This gives local children even more choice as to how they stay warm, active, and well-fed throughout the winter break.
One organisation funded throughout the holidays is Rugby Portobello Trust.
Jagdeep Birdi, Headteacher of Colville Primary School in north Kensington, said: “This fund fuels bodies, minds, and smiles over the winter break, particularly with its support for those on free school meals. As a headteacher, I see the impact the rising cost of living is continuing to have on local families. This programme provides peace of mind that pupils will return to school next year having enjoyed a fulfilling and active winter break.”
A parent of a child who attended a session over summer said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for parents who can’t afford to go on holiday or pay for expensive activity camps. My child absolutely loved it! It gave him something to look forward to each day and got him outdoors running around.”
Organisations supported by the Holiday Activity and Food programme deliver services all year round to families and are trusted and embedded in their communities, making them the perfect place for children to spend time over the winter break.