Increased numbers of children enjoy free summer activities
A growing number of children and young people who receive free school meals took part in a range of special summer holiday activities organised by Herefordshire Council’s Talk Community Team this year.
A total of 1,167 children took part in the activities which ran across the summer holidays throughout the county – a big increase from the 1008 children who took part last summer.
Children and young people were given a huge choice of sessions across Herefordshire with more than 34 organisations running sessions ranging from horse-riding and parkour to pottery and cheerleading. Children also received a free meal at every session.
Councillor Ivan Powell, Herefordshire Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People said: “This excellent course of activities which we can only provide with the support of the county’s fantastic activity providers means we are able to offer children the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and have great fun.
“It is particularly encouraging to see growing numbers of families making use of these activities. The cost of living crisis means these are very difficult times for many people so we are pleased to be able to provide this valuable service at this time.”
The Here for Herefordshire holiday programme is funded by the Department for Education and is co-ordinated by the council’s Talk Community team in partnership with a wide range of local organisations to offer a rich variety of free indoor and outdoor activities right through the summer break.