Organisations which provide holiday activities for children in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole areas are being asked to get in touch with BCP Council.

The authority has been awarded funding of £1 million by the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver a programme of activities with local providers to children aged five to 16 in receipt of benefits-related free school meals during the school holidays.

The council would also like to hear from food providers who meet the school food standards and those who supply nutritional education to children and families.

The scheme was successfully trialled over the Easter Holidays when 3,382 activity and food places were funded across 15 different providers, reaching approximately 1,000 local children.

The groups and activities that took place received great feedback from the children who took part, their families and activities providers. Easter holiday activities included: mountain biking, dance classes, trips out to the beach, den making, archery, football, yoga, gardening, tag rugby, dodgeball, arts and crafts, circus skills and more.

Cllr Mike White, portfolio holder for Children and Young people at BCP Council said: “School holidays can be difficult for many families with increased costs for food and childcare, particularly this year with the impact of COVID-19 on family resources. We all want our children to return to school physically and mentally ready for the term ahead and it is important for children and young people to engage in activities, keep healthy and stay connected.

“We are pleased to have secured funding and look forward to working with local providers to be able to address this issue and provide consistent and easily accessible sessions that include activities and a meal for local children to enjoy and help support families.”

Visit www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/holidayactivityfund to find out more and complete the grant application form if you would like to take part.

The deadline for grant applications is midday Wednesday 9 June.

Details of opportunities available to families in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will be published towards the end of June in the council’s Family Information Newsletter.