Free activities are available this summer for children and young people eligible for free school meals in Wythenshawe.
As part of the national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, Forum Leisure – managed by Everyone Active in partnership with Wythenshawe Trust – will host a programme of free activities accompanied by free lunches for young people aged 5 to 16.
Activities over the summer holidays include swimming, arts and crafts and multi-sports – all of which are designed to appeal to different ages, interests and abilities.
Swimming sessions will help children build confidence in the water and improve their skills, while multi-sport sessions will offer a variety of team-based games and activities – promoting social interaction and healthy competition amongst participants.
Arts and crafts activities are designed to encourage creativity and support mental wellbeing.
Sessions include a free, nutritionally balanced lunch.
Phil Bowers, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the national HAF programme and provide children with the opportunity to get active this summer, regardless of their financial circumstances.
“With activities designed to promote both physical wellbeing and social interaction, we hope to see children from Wythenshawe join us to have fun and develop new skills.”
Councillor Joanna Midgley, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, said:”For many families, the summer holidays can be a source of worry, rather than the care-free period it is perceived as. This is why activities made possible through the HAF are so important, providing children with fun opportunities no matter what their background or circumstances.”
Sessions run each Monday to Thursday between 9.30am and 2pm, from 29 July until 22 August.
School children from reception to Year 11 in receipt of benefits related free school meals are eligible for HAF sessions. Parents and guardians of eligible children are encouraged to register here.