LOCAL children receiving free school meals are being offered a wide range of free activities courtesy of Herefordshire Council.

Parents of children, from reception to year 11, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals, can now book up to 16 hours of free activities from the ‘Here for Herefordshire’ scheme for their child during the Christmas holidays.

Children from disadvantaged families are more likely to experience 'unhealthy holidays' in terms of nutrition and physical health and more likely to experience social isolation.

Eligible children will be able to try out new and exciting activities, from holiday clubs, sports camps, parkour and breakdancing, football, boxing, circus skills, rackets sports, festive family walks.

Every child that attends will also be offered a free healthy meal.

Councillor Ivan Powell, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said this facility will ensure that over 4,460 Herefordshire children are offered the opportunity to take part in the scheme and added: “Christmas can be a busy time, so I’m delighted that we have the funding to keep offering the free activities programme during the festive holidays to our eligible families.

“With the support of our fantastic activity providers, we’re able to offer children the opportunity to learn new skills, make friends and have fun during the festivities. Children will also be offered a tasty nutritious meal at every session.

The Here for Herefordshire holidays scheme has already proved successful during the summer holiday period and at half-term with a range of activities being offered to children who qualify for the provision.

Eligible families can book their places through the holiday activities page on the council’s website: Herefordshire.gov.uk/haf.

● The Here for Herefordshire holidays programme is funded by the UK government through the Department for Education and is co-ordinated by Herefordshire Council’s Talk Community Team.