Parents and carers across Torbay may be eligible to benefit from a free holiday clubs programme, known as ‘Healthy Holidays’ over the school summer break.
Children aged 5 to 16 years who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals will have the chance to take part in a range of free activities during the school summer holiday.
Healthy Holidays clubs will involve helping young people learn new things, taking part in enriching activities from sport to music, dance, drama, art, cooking and gardening, as well as improving socialisation, helping young people to have fun with friends this summer.
Made possible by Torbay Council receiving a share of a nationwide investment of up to £220 million, from the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, the programme which initially ran over the Easter school holidays has been expanded to include the summer and Christmas school holidays in 2021.
The local programme will launch in Torbay on Monday 26 July 2021 and will run for 4-6 weeks across Torbay in youth centres and other venues. A healthy lunch will be provided to everyone taking part. Specific provisions are available for children with SEND or additional needs, at no additional costs to parents or carers.
Families whose children are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals that are interested in booking their children onto one of the sessions can visit the Healthy Holidays page on Torbay Councils website to find out more. The links to this can be found here: Healthy Holidays - Torbay Council https://www.torbay.gov.uk/children-and-families/childcare/healthy-holidays/
If you have any queries regarding the HAF programme, please email sarah.pengelly@torbay.gov.uk or contact Children’s Services on 01803 208100
In addition to this programme, for families who are eligible for Universal Credit may be able to claim back up to 85% of their childcare costs. Please visit Help With Childcare Costs (gov.uk) to find out more.
Torbay Council is working with local schools, voluntary and community organisations, and childcare providers to provide the HAF programme. The free places are funded by the Department for Education. Visit the government website for more information on the national programme.