Dear Parents and Carers,

Please find below a letter from Sally Dobbing, Project Manager for Liverpool's Holiday Activity Fund project (HAF), which provides half term holiday activities and meals for children eligible for free school meals.

For the first time, we are hosting one such project during this Autumn half term, run by LSC.  We hope that some of our children can benefit from this offer at NP or beyond at one of the many other projects.

Kind regards. (letter and information below)

******

Date:  11th October 2023

Dear Parent or Guardian

The October Half Term Eat 2 Meet programme starts on the 30th October and there are lots of great activities happening over the school holidays.  Children and young people, from reception to age 16 (including year 11 leavers), who are eligible for benefits related free school meals, will be able to access hundreds of activities throughout the half term holidays including specific provision available for children with SEND or additional needs, at no cost. There’s a great range of activities across the city including Halloween themed activities such as pumpkin carving, apple bob, halloween crafts making spooky masks, boxing, football, music, dance, cycling, cooking, podcasting, basketball, arts and crafts, drama, zumba, trips out and much more!  Every day there will be a range of fabulous meals available with many schemes holding family events as well.

To find out where the nearest scheme is click on this link October Half Term ‘Eat to Meet’ – Merseyside Play Action Council (merseyplay.com) or go to https://www.merseyplay.com and click on the October Half Term Eat 2 Meet link.

When a parent/guardian/carer has chosen the activity/scheme they will need to contact that organisation to book a place.  Each organisation will have either a telephone number, email address or online booking system.  If the child has any additional needs or dietary requirements then please discuss this with the organisation when booking.  There is no central booking system so please read the details of the programmes on the website and contact the providers directly.

• If you want to know how to register or how to check if your child is eligible for free school meals then please click on the link https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
•  You will need your national insurance number or an asylum seekers support number.
• If you are struggling with the cost of living then please click: https://www.liverpool.gov.uk/cost-of-living/
• If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. Click on the link to find out how to register https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/
• If your child is not eligible for benefits related free school meals you may be eligible for support with childcare costs - https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator

Liverpool City Council is working with Mersey Play Action Council, the local schools, voluntary and community organisations, and childcare providers to deliver the October Half Term Eat 2 Meet programme. 

The Family Information and SEND Directory also provides a wealth of useful information and support for families - FISD.

Regards

Sally Dobbing

Sally Dobbing - HAF Project Manager