Parents across the borough are being encouraged to sign their children up to Croydon’s biggest ever school summer holiday activity programme led by the council and a national charity.
Croydon Council and Family Action are co-ordinating the free Holiday Food and Fun programme, where dozens of local groups including schools and youth clubs offer sports, activities, healthy eating classes and local trips for children aged five to 16.
Each programme covering both activities and free holiday food lasts four weeks at locations around the borough, and more than 70 providers have already signed up.
The programmes will include:
• Sports ranging from cricket and athletics to boxing and basketball
• Trips including skateboarding, parks and museums
• Healthy eating activities, including cooking and growing fruit and vegetables
• Arts and crafts, and music
As well as encouraging young people to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle during the long summer holidays, the programme will also support their families to improve their finances and job prospects through budgeting advice, training and housing information offered by the council’s Gateway welfare service. The council and Family Action give providers training, activity resources and recipes, a helpline, and peer-to-peer support sessions.
The council and Family Action are jointly leading the programme after successfully bidding for £657,000 funding from the Department for Education.
“This is not just a free four-week summer fun programme for the kids but also a chance of year-round help for parents from the council’s Gateway welfare service with everything from budgeting to better job prospects.”
Councillor Alison Butler, cabinet member for homes and Gateway services
“This Holiday Food and Fun programme is all about supporting families across the borough, so if you have children aged five to 16 then get in touch to book a place.”
Councillor Alisa Flemming, cabinet member for children, young people and learning
David Holmes CBE, Chief Executive of Family Action, said: “This programme is a great opportunity for parents and children to spend quality time together and have fun during the long summer holidays. It is also a lovely opportunity for Croydon families to develop new cooking skills and knowledge about healthy eating.”
Families wanting to find a Holiday Food and Fun provider near them can view it on a map. See here for more details. For more information, visit the Family Action website.
