As the festive season draws near, parents and carers in North Yorkshire are encouraged to book places on a holiday activities programme designed to support thousands of eligible children offering enriching activities with food during the school holidays.
The Department for Education has announced that the holiday activities and food programme (HAF), which funds the FEAST scheme in North Yorkshire, has been extended for three years until March 2029.
Bookings for the Christmas holiday programme, which runs from 20 December to 4 January, will go live today (17 November).
The programme is administered by us in the county, and since 2021 over £5.5m in funding has been allocated by the Government to support activities locally.
Executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, whose responsibilities include stronger communities, said: “With the cost of living still a daily challenge, this incredibly important scheme is a huge boost for families across our county.
“Thousands of children and young people will continue to benefit from free holiday activities and meals each year, supporting their wellbeing, learning and community connections during school holidays, as well as enabling them to make new friends, gain social skills and experience new opportunities.”
Delivered at schools, community venues and leisure centres across the county, FEAST offers a wide range of fun and engaging sessions including activities from sports, forest schools and outdoor adventures to computer programming, dance, gymnastics and animal care.
This summer, 54 activity providers in North Yorkshire offered more than 37,000 funded places across 87 locations for children and young people aged five to 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals.
Max May, the strategic director of North Yorkshire Together, who coordinate FEAST on our behalf, said: “Christmas is such a special time, but it can also be a juggle for families to keep children active, happy and well-fed over the holidays. Across North Yorkshire, our brilliant activity providers are putting on all sorts of fun activities, from crafts and cooking to outdoor adventures. We encourage families to take a look and request their places early so they don’t miss out.”
FEAST offers something special throughout the year for siblings Sebastian and Maria Wilkinson. The holiday clubs ensure the 14-year-old and 16-year-old who have specialist needs can build confidence, make friends and, most importantly, have fun during the school holidays in a safe and supportive environment.
Sebastian and Maria, who live in Harrogate, are autistic. They have been attending Inspire Youth in Knaresborough during the holidays for the past four years. Through fun and engaging experiences, they are gaining key life skills in cooking which is helping with their independence.
Sebastian, who attends Mowbray School in Bedale, said: “It’s really fun, I get to play, make new friends and do something which I actually find interesting.”
Through his time with Inspire Youth, Sebastian has developed a keen interest in protecting the environment and enjoys the chance to take walks around the area with the group, litter picking and exploring nature.
Inspire Youth also offer children and young people attending FEAST activities the opportunity to prepare their own food, which Sebastian enjoys. He said: “I like cooking. When I’m at home I’ll try to make myself something when I’m hungry.”
Inspire Youth’s founder and chief executive officer, Jess Ward, said: “The cooking gives them life skills, but it’s also another space that they can share.
“If it wasn’t for FEAST, we wouldn't see these young people who've come here today, like Sebastian. The funding has enabled us to offer this additional session on top of our usual open drop-ins, and it’s lovely a safe space, especially for neurodivergent young people like Sebastian and Maria. It’s an opportunity for them to freely move around, socialise and just be. It means we can offer something for everyone.”
FEAST activities are open to children aged five to 16. Everyone is welcome to join, with free places for children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals.
Executive member for children and families, Cllr Janet Sanderson, said: “From having extra mouths to feed during the day, to finding childcare or activities to keep the children entertained, the cost of school holidays can put a real strain on family finances, especially during Christmas when you have extra financial pressures such as buying gifts and heating costs.
“I am pleased to hear this crucial holiday programme has been extended as it acts as a lifeline for thousands of families in North Yorkshire.”