Free holiday activities bring ‘stability and support’ to foster family
With the Easter school holidays beginning, parents are faced with the traditional challenge of keeping their children entertained.
And for foster parent Natalie Thompson, the Easter break can be one of the most challenging times of the year, meaning our FEAST holiday scheme has become a vital source of stability for her family.
There are more than 50 FEAST activities running across North Yorkshire this Easter. New activities for this holiday include climbing workshops and farm visits.
More information about the holiday activities available this Easter can be found on the North Yorkshire Together website.
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 holidays 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, that 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.
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.”
FEAST is the Department for Education-funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for North Yorkshire, coordinated by North Yorkshire Together on our behalf.
It provides free holiday activities with nutritious meals to eligible children and young people from 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.
Over the Christmas holidays, Jake attended United Education’s Adventure Camps, whose free places through FEAST included a healthy meal and focused on sport and outdoor adventures.
Our 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.”
There are more than 50 activities running across North Yorkshire this Easter. New activities include climbing workshops and farm visits. Note that this image does not feature ‘Jake’ or ‘Max’. Photo credit: Oliver Dixon Photography
FEAST is the Department for Education-funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for North Yorkshire, coordinated by North Yorkshire Together on our behalf.
It provides free holiday activities with nutritious meals to eligible children and young people from 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.
Over the Christmas holidays, Jake attended United Education’s Adventure Camps, whose free places through FEAST included a healthy meal and focused on sport and outdoor adventures.
Bookings for the Easter holiday programme, which runs from Monday 30 March to Friday 10 April, are now live.
Our 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.”
Names of the family members have been changed for safeguarding purposes.