PROVIDERS across Liverpool will once again be offering hundreds of FREE activity sessions for children this half term.
Activities start next Monday, 13 February, for youngsters aged from reception to 16 as part of Eat to Meet 2 which guarantees healthy meals and snacks for all children taking part, with dedicated provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities or additional needs.
Activities are open to children from families who are entitled to receive benefits-related free school meals.
The programme is co-ordinated by Merseyside Play Action Council and the whole programme of events is available through the MPAC website. Activities need to be booked in advance by directly contacting organisers and include boxing, football, music, dance, cycling, cooking, discos, films, bowling, arts and crafts, drama, a make-up course, and day trips.
The programme can also be accessed via the MPAC app which is free to download for both Apple and Android devices.
Liverpool’s holiday activity programmes have proved incredibly popular with families. In October half-term, 99 organisations delivered projects across 102 sites, with 6,361 children making 13,562 attendances supported by 5,475 hours of volunteering. An amazing 31,983 meals were also provided.
Liverpool City Council is using monies from the Household Support Grant to fund its food and activity programme during half-term, complementing the Department for Education-funded Holiday and Activity Food (HAF) programmes which take place in the Easter, summer and Christmas breaks.
Cllr Frazer Lake, Cabinet member for Adults’ and Children’s Social Care, said:
“I’m very proud that the council funds the holiday programme throughout the half-term breaks.
“It’s not only an important form of support for parents and carers but children and young people get to take part in a brilliant selection of activities where they not only learn new skills but, most importantly, have fun with their friends.
“As always, our thanks go to Merseyside Play Action Council for making the programme such a huge success and to all the providers and volunteers whose brilliant ideas help children create such special memories.”