Free meals and activities for disadvantaged children

Providers for the government’s Holiday Activities and Food programme have been confirmed, and will support up to 50,000 disadvantaged children across 17 local authority areas and help them to stay healthy and active over the summer.

Ten providers were successful in their bid for a share of the £9 million and will be supporting families in need with activities and healthy meals.

Activities will include a variety of online and directly delivered physical activities such as dance, Yoga, HIIT and adventure play making the most of their outdoor spaces.

Minister for Children and Families Vicky Ford said: "It is more important than ever before to make sure the needs of the most disadvantaged are at the heart of everything we do. We cannot afford for any of our children to lose out of their education as a result of Covid-19.

"Just last week we announced the Covid Summer Food Fund, and a £1 billion Covid catch up fund so that no child is left behind.

"On top of this, we are rolling out the £9 million Holiday Activities and Food programme in England, ensuring that thousands of children will be able to benefit from free nutritious food and enriching activities during the summer period."

The government has already announced the Covid Summer Food Fund, which will support children who are eligible for free school meals with a voucher to cover the full six week summer holiday beginning next month, which schools will be able to order before the end of term.

The summer 2020 Holiday Activities and Food programme builds on the success of last year and is reaching disadvantaged children in more areas across England. Each organisation will deliver at least four weeks of free activities and healthy food during July and August 2020. All the successful co-ordinators have confirmed that their programmes will adhere to relevant government public health advice and are committed to providing free food and activities for as many disadvantaged children as possible.

The 10 co-ordinators receiving a share of the £9 million across 17 local authorities are:
    •    StreetGames (North East region)
    •    Gateshead Council (North East region)
    •    Edsential (North West region)
    •    Spring North (North West)
    •    Leeds Community Foundation (Yorkshire & the Humber region)
    •    Voluntary Action Sheffield (Yorkshire & the Humber region)
    •    Suffolk County Council (East of England region)
    •    Mayor’s Fund for London (London)
    •    Tower Hamlets Local Authority (London)
    •    The Romsey School (South East region)