Introduction
The Holiday Activity Fund is a £200 million country wide programme funded by the Department for Education. The programme aims to provide activities and food for children eligible for Free School Meals during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays, plus October half term.
2023-25 Funding
in 2023, Nottingham City Council was awarded £1.8 million as part of the programme. Locally we brand the programme as “Free Fun and Food”. Nottingham City Council implemented a centralised booking system for activities.
Free Fun and Food programme 2023-25
Through the Free Fun and Food programme, Nottingham City Council have worked with an amazing variety of local providers and schools across the city to put on holiday activities attended by over 8,500 children.
- Across 2023 the Holiday Activity Fund was delivered by 91 local community and voluntary organisations and schools.
- The programme has been well received by parents and children alike and the community of delivers we pulled together were similarly positive.
Tackling the cost of living crisis
The Holiday Activity Fund is a vital part of supporting Nottingham residents to tackle the cost of living crisis. Throughout 2023, delivery of the Holiday Activity Fund has supported children and families in receipt of Free School Meals/targeted Non-Free School Meal children to ensure that children are supplied with high quality food and activities. Without this programme, these young people would be at risk of Holiday Hunger.
Further Funding 2025 onwards
We are yet to hear from the Government regarding future funding but are hoping there may be an announcement towards the end of 2024.
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