Help for disadvantaged children over Easter launched in East Sussex

A food and activity programme has been launched for children in East Sussex to cover the Easter holiday.
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The Holiday Food and Fun programme, which will support children over the two-week break, includes outdoor pursuits, arts and crafts, and sports with an emphasis on healthy food and the preparation of meals, according to East Sussex County Council.

Coordinated by the council’s children’s services department, the programme will be free for children who would normally receive free school meals.

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Places will be offered to the most disadvantaged children first but places may be made available to children who are not eligible for free school meals and who can pay to attend.

It was first trailed between 2018 and 2020 and is now being expanded across the country with £220 million of funding being provided to local authorities by the Department for Education.

The programme will run for a total of six weeks over the 2021 Easter, summer and Christmas school holidays - four hours a day for four days a week.

Councillor Sylvia Tidy, the county council’s lead member for children and families, said, “School holidays can be a particular pressure point for some families because of increased costs, such as food and childcare, and reduced incomes.

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“The planned Holiday Food and Fun programme will support some of our most disadvantaged children during the holidays ensuring they receive a nutritious meal and enjoy their break from school while taking part in fun, healthy activities.

“The programme also provides an opportunity for a wide range of providers to work together with East Sussex schools and our Children’s Services teams to develop fun offers for disadvantaged children.”

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