Free holiday fun and food for 4,000 city children
MORE than 4,000 Derby children eligible for free school meals are expected to take part in a series of activities for four weeks during the school summer holidays.
It will be funded using part of a £1.357 million Government grant, aimed at providing a holiday activity and food (HAF) programme across the city. The go-ahead for the scheme, which also ran last summer and is coordinated by charity Community Action Derby, was given at a meeting of Derby City Council’s cabinet when it was also revealed that £45,000 of the money would be used to pay for a scheme co-ordinator.
The need for a new council officer was queried by Labour group leader Councillor Baggy Shanker. He was told by Andy Smith, the council’s strategic director of people services, that despite work being carried out by Community Action Derby, there was still deployment and evaluation work that was needed to in order to comply with Government requirements for allocating the money, and that the council service “was already lean” regarding staff.
The offer of free holiday club provision is available for all children eligible for free school meals – around 11,425 children in Derby – but not all will take up the offer. Free places are made available for four hours a day, four days a week and for six weeks a year, covering the four weeks in the summer and a week’s worth of provision in the Easter and Christmas holidays. Children not eligible for free school meals can take part in activities, but there would be a charge.
Last year, just over 4,000 children, aged five to 16, took part in free sessions – called the Summer Promise – using 16 providers. This year, 23 providers are involved and activities include sports, cooking and performing, together with a free meal each day.
Partners in the scheme include: Engineered Learning; Schools Out Club; St James Centre; Enthusiasm Trust; YMCA; RCCG Solid Rock Derby; Pear Tree Playscheme; Safe and Sound; Genius Tuition; Vox Feminarum; Derbyshire Cricket Foundation; Community One; Fusion Scope; Derby Theatre; Premier Education and Derby County Community Trust. It will also include activities for younger and older disabled people, including horse riding, music, trips, gardening skills, engineering, arts and crafts. Councillor Evonne Williams, cabinet member for children and schools, said: “We’ve got some fantastic partners on board this summer to provide some great activities for our children to try, while ensuring they enjoy some nutritious meals and stay safe during the long holiday.
“We’re pleased that the Government has put funding in place for the next three years so we can continue to make this offer to all eligible families.”
The council’s cabinet has accepted the Department for Education funding until 2024/25, and also agreed to work in partnership with Community Action Derby for the next three years to deliver the HAF programme.
Details on how to get involved in the Summer HAF programme are available on the Derby City Council website.