Children and young people who are in receipt of benefit-related free school meals enjoyed over 5,500 free activity sessions, ranging from cheerleading to cooking, during the Easter break.
The Progressive Alliance secured funding to offer the engaging and enriching sessions for children, with each session encouraging socialisation, healthy eating, and physical activity.
Events took place across the city, in places such as schools, community spaces and outdoor centres.
One of the providers, All People Active, held multiple sessions including a ‘fit and fed’ day for six to twelve-year-olds at Langland Community School in Netherfield.
Labour Woughton & Fishermead Ward Councillor, Carole Baume, went along to the session:
“It was great to see so many children enjoying themselves. These activities are a brilliant way for children to keep active and eat a healthy meal, all while having fun. They also ease parents’ financial worries as they don’t have to worry about childcare for the day, or providing lunch, which is especially valuable now that families are really feeling the crunch.”
MK College also took part by hosting ‘fit and food’ camps at Sport Central. Last week, children took part in sporting activities while also cooking pizzas and making smoothies with chefs from MK College-based restaurant, The Brasserie.
Councillor Paul Trendall, Lib Dem Cabinet Member for Customer Services, added: “MK Council does all it can to support families in need, and these sessions are a prime example of that. It was clear to see just how happy the children were to be playing, making new friends, and enjoying some great food.”
Other activities that took place during the Easter break included Ninja Club, fashion and cultural dance club, cinema and Gulliver’s Land trips, music lessons, and performing arts camp.
Councillor Zoe Nolan, Labour Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Children and Families, concluded:
“The sessions were a great success, and I look forward to seeing even more happy faces when the Council launches its second Summer of Play, providing even more activity sessions and healthy meals for local children during the six weeks’ holiday.”
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