Parents only have one week left to book the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) sessions for their children and young people this Christmas.
Parents and guardians should now have their E-voucher via email or text from their School, containing a unique code which can be used book their youngsters on to the sessions for the winter School holidays.
To view participating providers and to book sessions directly, parents and guardians will need to visit the Livewell Southend website.
The sessions are offered between Wednesday 21 December to Friday 30 December. Children and young people who receive benefit related free school meals, are eligible to take part in the programme.
In addition to the HAF programme, Southend-on-Sea City Council has received additional grant funding under the Household Support Fund. Each eligible child will receive one £30 free school meal voucher for the two weeks over the Christmas holidays, which can be used alongside the HAF vouchers.
Cllr Laurie Burton, cabinet member for children and learning, said: “I’m pleased that we are once again, able use this opportunity to provide eligible families with extra support this festive season, especially this year due to the additional financial constraints with the rise in the cost of living, the HAF programme could ease that burden for some families.
“Additionally, I am delighted we will be able to continue the Holiday sessions over the next three years due to the Department for Education announcing the grant funding will continue to be available until 2025.”
Cllr Kay Mitchell, cabinet member for early years, said: “We understand that the school holidays can bring additional challenges to families. The programme offers great support and gives the children and young people access to fun and active activities along with healthy food over the school holidays.
“I hope that eligible families will take up this wonderful opportunity for their children and book them on the sessions to keep them healthy, active and entertained this Christmas.”
If you think your child or young person is eligible, and have not received your E-Voucher, please contact your child’s school or email the HAF team.
Marcus Rashford, MBE, is a supporter of HAF. He said on their website: "It’s very important that children have activities to do during the holidays. I can only go back to my own experiences and what I would have been doing if I didn’t have places my friends and I could go in a safe environment." You can watch Marcus’s promotion video on YouTube.