A programme aimed at giving children the chance to take part in free* fun activities
during the school holidays has gone live for Easter bookings.
The Time2Move Holiday Programme aims to support families on low incomes who
are more likely to experience ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of nutrition and physical
health.
It brings together providers across Cornwall who put on a wide range of activities
and sports that are free of charge for those eligible for free school meals.
The website has now gone live to take bookings for the Easter activities which will run from April 11th – 14th and 19th – 22nd.
The Time2Move Holiday Programme is run by Active Cornwall, part of Cornwall Council, Tim Marrion said: “After the success of running the sessions in 2021 we’re delighted to have more providers, offering more activities for children in Cornwall this Easter.
“The programme offers families who might struggle during the holidays the
opportunity to send their children to a fun and entertaining activity, knowing they’ll
receive a free healthy meal while they attend.”
It’s now even easier to book sessions as this Easter a new system enabling parents
and carers to sign up for sessions is being introduced.
Children eligible for free school meals will be assigned a unique code to ensure
access to activities free of charge. This can be accessed via a simple look up system
on the website.
Tim said: “We want to simplify the system and make it as easy as possible for people
to book. These codes will replace any previous codes sent out by schools last year.”
Following the success of the programme in 2021, the Chancellor confirmed the
programme will continue in all local authorities in England for the next three years,
with funding of over £200m each year nationally.
Tim said: “This three-year funding provides important stability to the programme and our much-valued providers we have in Cornwall to build and develop the
programme.
“We want to grow and enhance our programme to offer more children amazing
opportunities to be active and eat healthy over the holidays and look forward to
working with colleagues, providers and families to achieve this.”
The programme is open to anyone aged 5-16 years old. Those not receiving Free
School Meals are still welcome and encouraged to join the sessions. At the time of
booking there will be a small fee for their place. The programme also offers every
child that attends a free meal, whether paying for the session or not.
In 2021 the initiative saw 28,089 children book on 193 activities from water sports to
football, dance to arts and crafts, as well as a wide range of other clubs.
Parent, Sonya Harris, commented on Facebook after hearing the programme was
being extended and said: “Amazing, you have helped my family so much during
the holidays.”
School holidays can have particular challenges for some families because of
increased costs such as food, childcare and reduced incomes.
The Time2Move Holiday Programme has also partnered with Parent Carers Cornwall
to support children with SEND. A representative will speak to parents directly about
the needs of their child to ensure they are met when attending sessions.
You can find more information on the Active Cornwall website: https://www.activecornwall.org/children-young-people-families/t2m-holiday-programme/