Liverpool City Council is launching its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for children and young people on 27 December. Hundreds of free activities will be on offer to eligible families, along with healthy meals and snacks. The programme is intended to support families that receive benefits-related free school meals and includes sports, cooking and DJing activities.
The programme was first launched in the summer of 2018 and has already proved highly popular. Over 6,400 children and young people participated in the October half-term sessions, with 99 organizations offering activities, and more than 34,000 meals served. Over 300 volunteers are supporting the programme.
The scheme is delivered and coordinated by Merseyside Play Action Council (MPAC), with details of all providers and sessions available via the MPAC website. The Department for Education funds the HAF programme in the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays with Liverpool City Council providing funding for a similar programme during half-term breaks.
According to Cabinet Member for Children’s Social Services, Cllr Liz Parsons, the programme now constitutes a key part of many families’ holiday planning. She thanked volunteers for their support, without which, she said, the programme could not succeed. Colin Heaney, HAF co-ordinator at Merseyside Play Action Council, emphasized that children who receive benefits-related free school meals should have the same opportunity to play as those who do not
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