A £2.5 million fund has been allocated for the Derby Holiday Activities and Food Programme providing activities, meals, and financial support for those who are struggling through the school holidays and beyond.
The majority of the money comes from the Governments Household Support Scheme and the remainder from the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme.
As in previous holidays, the funding will see Free School Meal vouchers distributed by schools to all eligible children for the upcoming Christmas holidays and the February half-term, in addition to around 7000 places available for eligible children to take part in activities and have a meal at around 20 providers covering every ward in the city.
A referral scheme will also operate again, whereby organisations are able to refer families, couples, or single people for one-off payments of £200, £170 or £140 to help support them through winter.
In a major addition, the Winter Promise will also have an online application for people who have not been referred. Families, couples, or individuals in receipt of benefits, who can demonstrate financial hardship, are invited to apply for the Household Support Fund for the one-off payment up to the end of March 2022. More information can be found on the Household Support Scheme page.
Furthermore, there will also be money provided for existing charitable organisations that work to support struggling and vulnerable households. Funds for these organisations, as well as the co-ordination of the HAF provision, will again be co-ordinated by Community Action Derby.
The HAF providers will offer activities and a meal across four days during the two-week break and activities range from music, art, sport, baking and crafts. A full list of providers and sign-up details for parents and carers can be found on the Derby Holiday Activities and Food Programme page.
Speaking about the Summer Promise:
Harry Pearce, (Coach at the Community One holiday Club) said:
Brilliant time during the Summer at the Pakistan Community Centre. We had over 200 young people who had a great experience in different sports and sporting activities. All staff and young people were great which made the summer such a good time for myself and everyone involved
Parent of child at Inspirative Arts holiday club said:
This sort of scheme is really needed because there aren't many things which are safe and accessible for my child.
Councillor Evonne Williams, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills said:
This winter, not only are we supporting more children, young people and families than ever before but we are now able to give extra financial support to people of all ages, demonstrating our commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of all our residents.
The HAF programme has now been approved for the next three years and we have some great organisations in place to provide activities for children of all ages.
I’d like to thank all our partners especially Community Action Derby and the council teams involved for pulling this programme together to help make sure no child goes hungry this Christmas.