Children and their families most in need of help during the summer holidays were helped with food and activities thanks to Stroud District Council and Gloucestershire County Council.
Stroud District Council received more than 2,700 bookings over the course of the Holiday Activity Fund (HAF) programme and almost 1,000 families in the district received a food box to help with lunchtime meals. Staff at Stroud District Council produced more than 200 food bags; these were delivered by Neighbourhood Wardens to those who don’t drive or those isolating.
Stroud District Council has been working with Gloucestershire County Council over the summer holidays to provide activities and events for children through HAF, is in partnership with district councils, the voluntary sector and other organisations in the county and is funded by the Department for Education. The purpose of the programme is to ensure children are active, safe and fed.
Art, wild play, circus skills, sports, swimming, Forest Green Rovers football camps, graffiti art, Djing, animation workshops, felting, photography, cookery, skate competitions, canoeing, paddleboarding, boat rides and treasure hunts are just some of the activities that were put on for children.
The majority of the activities were reserved for those eligible for free school meals, however, there were still plenty of events that were accessible to everyone.
Community Services and Licensing Committee Chair Chris Brine said: “We are so pleased that the HAF programme turned out to be such a great success. The Health & Wellbeing team has worked so hard to deliver these activities so it was great to see such a large turnout. A key priority of the council is health and wellbeing so it is a great feeling to be a part of that project and do what we can to help the community.”
In partnership with Gloucestershire County Council and the Department of Education, Stroud District Council’s Community Health & Wellbeing Team will again be offering the Holiday Activity and Food Programme from Monday 20 December to Thursday 23rd December 2021.
These are just some of the positive comments Stroud District Council’s Health and Wellbeing team received:
“A massive well done to you and your team for delivering such a mammoth and tricky task. You managed to get a whole lot of children and families out and about this summer enjoying fresh air, food and fun in the district, and that is a great achievement.” Emily Osler, Community Development Officer, Stroud Town Council
Other parents said: “I just wanted to say a thank you for the lovely days out/activities I’ve been able to do with my children through this scheme. They have enjoyed every minute and it has been so lovely as many they wouldn’t have been able to do without your help”
“We aren’t entitled to free school meals or any benefits but we had no spare cash this summer to do any special activities with our children. The difference a special day out made to the children meant the world. Thank you to all involved its precious memories and experiences we wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
