Stretched between hospital appointments and long commutes, North Yorkshire foster parent Natalie Thompson knows that school holidays can be the hardest time of the year.
Living in a village near Selby with her husband, Matt, her 16‑year‑old son Max and her foster son Jake, 13, she describes the break from school as “really hard work”.
Jake has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and thrives on structure and routine, while Max lives with Type 1 diabetes, which means regular hospital clinics, often in Hull, which are a non‑negotiable part of their family life.
With Matt working in Leeds and away most weekdays, the responsibility of managing appointments, long drives and two teenagers with very different needs falls largely on Natalie. For the family, FEAST has become a lifeline.
FEAST is the Department for Education-funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for North Yorkshire, coordinated by North Yorkshire Together on behalf of ourselves. It provides free holiday activities with nutritious meals to eligible children and young people (Reception to Year 11) during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays.
Since it was launched in Easter 2021, it has supported over 34,000 children and young people in the county. Everyone is welcome to join, with free places for children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals.
Executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, whose responsibilities include stronger communities, said: “FEAST gives families like the Thompsons the breathing space to focus on important appointments, knowing their other children are safe, supported and having a great time.
“It means they don’t have to choose between being at the hospital and giving their other children a positive, fun and stable holiday experience - they can do both.”
Over Christmas, Jake attended United Education’s Adventure Camps, whose free places through FEAST included a healthy meal and focused on sport and outdoor adventures.
Natalie said: “Outdoor activities, games and sport suit him. They channel his energy and give him structure. With children in foster care, it’s really important to keep that structure. They need positive relationships and routine.
“The timing mattered. Max’s hospital appointments don’t pause for school holidays. For Jake sitting in traffic or hospital waiting rooms isn’t a good environment. It’s stressful. FEAST saves him from that.”
She added: “The United Education team quickly became a standout option, immediately understanding his neurodiversity and offering activities pitched at exactly the right level.
“After a day at Adventure Camp, Jake returns home tired in the best possible way - calmer, more focused and better able to stay close to his school routine, which is essential for his regulation.”
There are more than 50 FEAST activities running across North Yorkshire this Easter. New activities this holiday include climbing workshops and farm visits.
Max May, the strategic director of North Yorkshire Together, which coordinates FEAST, said: “Natalie’s story captures exactly why FEAST matters. For families facing complex needs and very little respite, the holidays can add real pressure.
“FEAST offers something practical and immediate, giving children activities they genuinely look forward to, while taking some of the pressure off parents who are already juggling a lot.”
“This Easter will be the first holiday of three more year’s confirmed funding for the Holiday Activities and Food programme, and we’re so pleased to see FEAST continuing to support families like Natalie’s across North Yorkshire.”
Bookings for the Easter holiday programme, which runs from Monday, 30 March, to Friday, 10 April, will go live today (Monday, 9 March).
Executive member for children and families, Cllr Janet Sanderson, said: “When you’re trying to balance work, home life and the rising cost of essentials like energy, water and food, the school holidays can feel overwhelming.
“FEAST becomes a lifeline in those moments by giving children a safe, joyful place to be, and giving parents the relief of knowing their family is supported when they need it most.”
See more information about the holiday activities on offer through FEAST this Easter.