Free activities and healthy food available for eligible children during summer holidays

An exciting array of fun activities is on offer over the summer holidays for eligible children across the Borough.

Booking is now open for the Holidays Are Fun Programme (HAF) with hundreds of sessions to choose from for children aged five to 16, including:

• Horse riding
• Outdoor bushcraft
• Paddleboarding
• Tees Barrage Air Trail
• Tees Barrage watersports
• Tees Active - variety of sessions including ice skating and swimming
• Arts and crafts
• Drama
• Become an influencer (basic filmmaking)
• Football
• Sports
• Dance
• Special needs provisions (Regenerate and Daisy Chain)

The activities are available for families who are in receipt of benefit-related free school meals, in receipt of Universal Credit or experiencing financial difficulties.

Each day includes a free nutritious meal for every child taking part.

Councillor Lisa Evans, the Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "With the rising cost of living, it's more important than ever to be able to step in to help families with free meals and activities over the summer holidays.

"We also know how important it is for children to have a go at new things and learn new skills, and this really is a wonderful opportunity to take part in a whole range of exciting activities.

"There are over 13,000 places available but it's first-come, first-served, so I'd urge you all to get registered as soon as you can from today to avoid any disappointment."

HAF is led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in partnership with Catalyst and the Department for Education.

The summer activity sessions are running from Monday 24 July until Friday 1 September. 

You can find out more information on the HAF programme and how to book your child's place as well as view a full timetable of activities by visiting the HAF programme webpage.

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