Milton Keynes City Council has been ranked in the top 10% of local authorities for providing free food and accessible activities to families in need during school holidays.
Over the past year, 31% of eligible children and young people in the new city have taken part in activities with free food organised by the City Council, helping to keep children and young people more active and helping their families to make ends meet during school holidays.
This is far higher than the national figure of 21%. The higher performance in Milton Keynes is partly due to the council making sure most activities are designed so children with special educational needs and disabilities can take part.
In the past five years, it has provided around 750,000 hours of free activities and more than 185,000 meals through its Holiday Fun and Food programme created for children who usually receive benefit-related free school meals.
Activities take place across the spring, summer and winter school breaks, and include theatre and zoo trips, arts and crafts, cookery, sports camps and outdoor adventures.
Last year, 1,000 local families also received a free meal hamper in the run up to Christmas, packed full of fresh vegetables and meat worth around £50.
“Our Holiday Fun and Food programme continues to make a real difference to families across Milton Keynes," said Councillor Joe Hearnshaw, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, "By offering thousands of hours of engaging free activities and healthy meals, we’re helping children stay active, connected and supported during school breaks.
"We’ve been working hard to ensure that this extra help reaches those who need it most and we’re grateful to all our partners and providers who work with us to deliver this programme.”
You can learn more about the City Council’s Holiday Fun and Food programme here: www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/HAF
