Thousands of children from low-income families across North Ayrshire and Scotland will benefit from free childcare, activities and healthy food as part of a £10 million summer programme.
Available to children and young people aged five to 14 years old who need it most, SNP Government funding has been allocated to North Ayrshire Council and other local authorities, to supplement existing holiday programmes or to develop new ones.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP said:
“School holidays can be expensive for families, especially when household bills are soaring. This funding means children and young people who really need it will be able to access coordinated childcare, activities and nutritious food over the summer.
“They will have opportunities to play, socialise and access a range of activities that broaden their experiences and supplement their learning.
“Support will be targeted at the six priority family types at greatest risk of poverty, including lone parent families and families with a disabled adult or child. We have a national mission to tackle child poverty and, along with £21.75 million in funding for alternative holiday food provision for families eligible for free school meals, this offer will provide much-needed support over the summer.”
Kenneth Gibson MSP added:
“After a year of hard work, every child deserves to have a carefree and fun-filled summer.
“I am pleased that North Ayrshire Council is receiving extra funding to expand their summer programme, in light of the additional pressures so many families are facing.
“To support the summer holiday funding, councils are encouraged to work in close partnership with the third sector, the out-of-school care sector and community and youth groups, harnessing their expertise to design and run services and activities that reflect the needs of local families.”
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