![Young person enjoying a painting activity as part of the Healthy Holidays programme](https://news.calderdale.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Healthy-Holidays-session-at-Artworks.png)
The school summer holidays are just around the corner and young people in Calderdale can take part in exciting activities, enjoy nutritious meals and meet new friends in a safe environment, as part of the Healthy Holidays Calderdale programme.
Calderdale Council, in partnership with the Community Foundation for Calderdale, has been working with local providers to put together a programme of events for school children aged between 5 and 16 years old.
Primary and secondary school-aged children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals can access the free holiday club places, with a variety of activities available throughout the borough.
Booking is now open for the wide-ranging programme, which offers enjoyable activities and nutritious meals delivered by a number of providers, such as schools, voluntary and community organisations, childcare providers and the Council’s own sports and cultural services.
The summer programme will run from Monday 22 July until 30 August 2024. To view the programme and to book a place, visit healthyholidays.calderdale.gov.uk
The Healthy Holidays programme is funded by the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme. This will be the fourth summer of activities and the ongoing success of the programme has been celebrated at a recent awards event.
Providers from across the borough came together at the Unique Community Hub in Halifax to celebrate the many achievements of the programme and recognise the hard work and dedication which has been instrumental in its success.
The awards highlighted specific areas of achievement in delivery of the programme, including innovative ideas, strong partnership working and success in engaging with hard-to-reach groups or supporting the needs of diverse communities.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, Cllr Sarah Courtney, said:
“Our Healthy Holidays programme runs throughout the year and provides children and young people with the opportunity to experience a variety of activities, all including a healthy and nutritious meal.
“Now in its fourth summer, it was wonderful to be able to recognise the incredible efforts of the programme’s providers at a recent awards event. Every provider is fantastic, but we wanted to highlight some specific achievements which have really contributed to the success of the programme.
“The school holidays can be difficult for some families, particularly those whose children normally receive free school meals. We know from previous years that the summer Healthy Holidays programme is especially welcome, ensuring that children are well fed, occupied, enjoying fun active experiences, and making new friends.”
Steve Duncan, CEO of the Community Foundation for Calderdale, added:
“Schemes like this that enrich Calderdale children’s lives are so valuable and have an important positive impact on hundreds of families, not just the children who take part in the projects.”
Details of further support for people struggling with their finances are available from the Council’s Money and Wellbeing Information Centre at www.calderdale.gov.uk/mwic