(Above) Councillor Peter Cannon takes to the water on Willen Lake – pedalos are one of many activities available to local children this summer
Milton Keynes City Council is providing 23,000 activity sessions plus meals for children, young people, and their families this summer.
Aimed at local families with children in receipt of benefit-related free school meals, the city council’s summer Holiday Fun and Food programme is designed to be a welcome boost to families who would otherwise be struggling during the extended school break.
Hundreds of different activities for all ages (from music and science to rock climbing and outdoor adventures) will be on offer between 27 July and 20 August. Each session includes free food and at least four hours of activities. Events will run across 50 locations in Milton Keynes.
All sessions welcome children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) with nearly 2,400 tickets set aside for SEND specific activities - more than double the number in last year’s programme.
Eligible families will receive an e-voucher via email on Sunday 28 June. This will enable them to book up to 16 sessions per child via the online booking system at https://eequ.org/hafmiltonkeynes
“This summer’s programme offers a fantastic mix of activities, from sports and outdoor adventures to creative and cultural experiences, giving young people plenty of opportunities to try something new. Alongside healthy meals, it provides valuable support for families during the holidays. We hope this wide and inclusive range of activities will help children build confidence, discover new interests and enjoy their summer.”
This year, Milton Keynes City Council worked with 40 local clubs, charities, schools and organisations to provide activities alongside its own Family Centres and Music Hub.
Answers to frequently asked questions be found at www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/HAF. For any questions not answered online, please email HAF@milton-keynes.gov.uk.
(Above) Councillor Peter Cannon with Sarah (left) and Maria (right) from the City Council’s Holiday Fun and Food team – and Peter Rowe, from Willen Lake, which is cared for by The Parks Trust