Free children’s holiday activities in Barking and Dagenham

Free meals and activities are being laid on for 10,000 children during the school summer holidays by Barking and Dagenham Council to get families through the cost-of-living crisis.

The town hall’s holiday programme is providing food and things for youngsters to do who are normally eligible for free school meals during term time.

The holidays can be financially challenging for families, the council accepts.

So arrangements have been made with 30 schools, youth centres and leisure centres to provide meals and run activities to help at least 2,000 families. These include meals fior the children and also help for parents with plant-based cooking for making “climate-friendly” meals at home.

“This initiative is to support the families,” Cllr Elizabeth Kangethe said. “They are finding it hard to make ends meet during this difficult time.”

The authority is giving “affordable paid places” for activities for youngsters not eligible for free places, while parents might also be eligible for tax-free childcare.

The first holiday scheme began last Christmas helping families through the cost-of-living crisis with food hampers, now running again for the summer and reaching 2,000 households to date.

Charlene Taylor, a mother whose child joined in the winter activities, said she was delighted to get a hamper with pasta and “helpful recipes”.    

Kimberly Chadwick, whose son also attended the programme, tried the recipes with her young family. She said: “The hamper was so helpful in this difficult and expensive time of year. This was unexpected and much needed.”

Summer activities for 750 children a day include football, basketball, athletics, art, music, dance and healthy cooking where they get hot lunches.

‘Farm stalls’ have also been set up this time, offering free veg hampers at every venue in the programme, so parents can select organic seasonal produce to take home. The hampers are supplied by the Growing Communities Better Food Shed and also include “climate-friendly recipes” from the Made in Hackney charity.

The council runs programmes to help neighbours come together to grow, cook and share meals, in addition to its emergency hot meals service to help those struggling with the cost of living who may be facing food insecurity and deprivation.