Free nutritious food and activities for children across West Cheshire this summer

Edsential are excited to announce the launch of the Holiday Activity Fund for 2020.

For the second year, families across West Cheshire will be able to enjoy free nutritious food and activities at a wide range of exciting holiday clubs over the summer holidays, at a time when such provision for young people and their families is needed more than ever.

Funded by the Department for Education, it is hoped that the £1.8m grant received by Edsential Community Interest Company will support over 13,100 children and young people across west Cheshire, Halton and Wirral. 

Edsential’s local partnership (Cheshire West and Chester Council, The Welcome Network and Cheshire West Voluntary Action) will support and provide funding for over 30 community, voluntary and faith sector organisations, along with schools. They will support a minimum of 3,800 children across west Cheshire, delivering:

• healthy meals and snacks, along with family cooking sessions
• a variety of online and directly delivered physical activities, such as dance, yoga, high intensity interval training (HIIT) and adventure play, making the most of our outdoor spaces
• diverse enrichment activities, including arts and crafts, pottery making, forest school, gardening clubs and much more.

Edsential have ensured that delivery methods for this year’s Holiday Activity Fund Provision will adhere to the Government’s guidance around COVID-19. Bethan Cooper, Holiday Activity Fund Manager at Edsential said:

“We have lots of fun direct delivery and online content enabling young people and their families to take part in daily sessions, supporting an active summer. Hopefully we can see some socially distanced activities using the area’s amazing outdoor spaces too.”

Last year, the Edsential Holiday Activity Fund provided over 27,000 nutritional meals and 25,000 activity-filled attendance days to families in west Cheshire. Ian McGrady, Managing Director at Edsential said: 

“We are delighted the bid won the funding that enables us to support families within our local community for a second year. We look forward to working with all the providers in the area to make sure that even more families can enjoy activities and meals together this summer.” 

Councillor Bob Cernik, Cabinet Member for Children and Families said:

“For West Cheshire to be one of only 17 areas nationally to receive the Holiday Activity Funding really shows the successful partnership working and shared learning from last summer. This year more than ever this activity and food provision will be invaluable to support our families in the borough.”

A full list of the clubs taking place over the summer holidays is now available on the Edsential website. But hurry - paces are limited so don’t miss out!