Thousands of free places for summer holiday activities are available across Cheshire East for children and young people 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 school holidays.

Activities include sports, arts and crafts, baking, games and trips out. Sessions are also for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities and all 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 programme which has successfully been run across Cheshire East since Easter 2021.

Parents and carers of children 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.

Councillor Kathryn Flavell, lead member for children and families at Cheshire East Council and the mayor of Sandbach, said: "This vital programme aims to help those children and families most in need, as we head into the summer break.

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Cllr Kathryn Flavell

"We recognise that school holidays can be particular pressure points for some because of increased costs, such as food and childcare and reduced income.

"We know that the cost-of-living crisis is having a real impact on families and this money will go some way to ease the financial pressure over the school holidays.

"Above all, we know that the children and young people love the activities, enjoy making new friends and eating a healthy meal."

For more information about the programme, visit https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/home.aspx

To view the activities on offer, visit the council's family information service at https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/livewell/care-and-support-for-children/how-do-i-get-early-help-for-my-child/family-information-service/family-information-service.aspx and click on the 'things to do' button.