Eight holiday clubs, which are free for those receiving benefits-related free school meals during term-time, will operate in the Harrogate district over Christmas.
The clubs provide food and activities for pupils during the holidays and are available to all children but free for families whose children receive free school meals.
North Yorkshire County Council invests more than £135,000 in its holiday club programme, known as FEAST. During the summer holidays, 12,000 children in the county took part in the initiative, which included activities ranging from sports and forest camps to dance and drama workshops.
The FEAST programme aims to tackle the financial strain school holidays have on family finances amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Activities in the Harrogate district run from December 19 to January 2.
King James School in Knaresborough is among those taking part. Its ‘Dopeamin programme’ helps young people take care of their wellbeing and develop a positive mind-set through fitness, nutrition and other techniques.
Here is the calendar for the upcoming clubs across Harrogate district:
- 19th December, 8am-5pm: Dopeamin at King James High School, Knaresborough
- 19th December – 22nd December, 8am-5pm: Total Sports Limited at Rossett Sports Centre, Harrogate
- 19th December – 23rd December, 8am-5:30pm: Total Sports Limited at St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate
- 21st December – 23rd December, 8:30am-12:30pm: Mini Athletics Superstar Holiday Camp at Harrogate High School
- 21st December, 9:30am-1:30pm: Awesome Eats Christmas Party at Jennyfield Styan Wellbeing Hub, Harrogate
- 27th December, 9am-5pm: Zen Feast Club at Zen Sensory, Kettlesing
- 2nd January, 9:30am-1:30pm: Dopeamin at King James High School, Knaresborough
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The FEAST programme is run by North Yorkshire Together, a partnership between North Yorkshire Youth, North Yorkshire Sport and Rural Arts.
The programme is also funded by the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food programme.
North Yorkshire County Council leader, Cllr Carl Les said:
“We are delighted at the number of organisations who have come forward to provide a varied programme of holiday clubs and activities. The funding ensures children on free school meals receive at least one nutritious meal while they attend the activities.
“The holiday club programme has been running for just over two years in North Yorkshire and has quickly expanded to include a very varied selection of activities focusing on sports, arts and wellbeing right across the county.”
More information regarding the holiday clubs can be found on the FEAST programme website.