Food and activities for Devon's children this Summer - John Hart

One of the few positive developments that arose following the Covid pandemic was the recognition that children who we support with free school meals during term time should also have access to nutritious food during the holidays.

So at Devon County Council we've been delighted to take part in the scheme which is funded by central Government and which provides vouchers which parents entitled to benefit-related free school meals can exchange at supermarkets for food for their children during the holidays.

But there has also been a recognition that we could do more for these vulnerable children whose families may not be able to afford the sort of activities that other youngsters enjoy during the long summer break.

So, again, we have been pleased to take part in the nationally-funded Holiday Activities and Food programme, or HAF for short.

This provides a range of free activities for youngsters as well as giving them a healthy meal over the summer.

This will be the third year we have teamed up with a range of organisations to offer a wide variety of both indoor and outdoor activities and, wherever you are in Devon, there should be something on offer near you.

This summer we're partnering with more organisations than ever before - over 60 - and there will also be more activities available for older, secondary school-aged children including go-karting, climbing, trampolining, high ropes and surfing.

So across the county for all ages there will be a range of team sports as well as swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, athletics, bowling and cross fit.

Some of the other activities include arts and crafts, fun with food sessions, outdoor treasure hunts, forest school and board games.

In Devon we have around 18,000 youngsters aged from five to 16 who are eligible for these activities whose parents qualify for free school meals. It's also open to four-year-olds who are in their school's reception class.

We've had so much positive feedback from the first two years’ summer activities so I’m really glad we’ ve been able to organise them again this year and extend what's available.

You can find a full list of the activities and how to apply on our HAF website: devon.cc/haf-summer23

But just some of the activities in North Devon include - for both primary and secondary aged children - volleyball, capture the flag, Danish long-ball, dodgeball, cricket, mini Olympics, short tennis, uni-hockey, football, rounders, tennis, handball and team building activities at West Croft Primary School in Bideford. There will also be an Art Magic enrichment area where the children will have a session every day covering painting, drawing, stencilling, craft making and seasonal activities.

In Barnstaple, at Sticklepath Primary and the Eden School, primary aged children will have the opportunity to take part in a range of games and sports including football, hockey, tennis, glow-in-the-dark dodgeball, dance and cricket as well as arts and craft activities.

And in Ilfracombe at Delta, secondary aged youngsters can enjoy beach activities, days out, adventure parks, sports and arts and crafts.

Meanwhile at Skern Lodge in Appledore and the Ultimate Adventure Centre in Bideford – for secondary children – there will be team games, an assault course, archery, high ropes, climbing and abseiling, zip line, pool kayak, orienteering, surfing, body boarding and other activities.

These are just a small selection of what's on this summer and if you have a child or grand-child who is entitled to benefit-related free school meals, do have a look at what is available close to you.

And if you think you may qualify for free school meals check out our website at devon.gov.uk