Free places for Easter activities, including sports, arts and crafts, baking, games and trips out, are still available for parents and carers of children eligible for income-related free school meals.

Cheshire East Council has worked together with local schools, childcare providers and community and voluntary organisations to offer thousands of free activities over the Easter school holidays.

These include sessions for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and include a nutritious meal each day. 

The free places are funded by the Department for Education, as part of the government's Holiday Activity and Food Fund programme, which has already successfully been run across Cheshire East since 2020.

Families who are being supported by the council's early help or social care teams are asked to contact their lead worker, who can help with access to the free places.

Parents and carers not eligible for the free places, are asked to contact the activity organisers directly, as some do offer fee-paying sessions.

The programme sits alongside the government's household support fund, which aims to help families across England with the cost of food, energy, water bills and other essentials.

Finding an activity to book onto is easy, visit the Cheshire East Council website or call 0300 123 5033.

For more help and advice on the cost of living including the household support fund and how to find out if your child is eligible for free school meals, visit: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/costofliving or call 0300 123 5012.