Children and young people in Knowsley will continue to benefit from subsidised activities during the school holidays after the Government committed to a £600million investment in the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme over the next three years.
The HAF programme has been running for a number of years in Knowsley, providing tens of thousands of activity places for children and young people during the summer, Christmas and Easter school holidays.
Since its launch in Knowsley in 2021 the HAF programme has provided over 130,000 funded activity places for children and young people in the borough.
The HAF programme, delivered by Knowsley SNAP, offer a wide range of funded activities, with a meal included as part of each session.
The programme is designed primarily to provide opportunities for children and young people who are eligible for means-tested free school meals.
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, said: “The extension of the HAF programme in Knowsley for another three years is great news for families in Knowsley. There are always so many different activities across the borough and they provide such enriching experiences for children and young people. As all the activities are fully funded this will provide a real boost to parents and carers when the school holidays come around.”
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said: “I have visited a number of HAF activities across the borough since the launch of the programme and I have never failed to be impressed by what is on offer for children and young people. The extension of the HAF programme a further three years will be a welcome boost for families in Knowsley.”