The Time2Move Holiday Programmes highlights why #HolidaysMatter

A new campaign is shining a summer spotlight on the huge importance of holiday activities for children in Cornwall.

#HolidaysMatter is raising national awareness of the fantastic work being done by organisations running the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

Locally, this is being led by Active Cornwall via the Time2Move Holiday Programme, which puts on activities throughout the county for children aged 5-16 during the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays.

Its main aim is to tackle the triple inequalities of 1) social isolation – not being able to spend time with friends and peers, 2) low levels of physical activity and 3) poor diet - due to not having access to the funded meals available during school terms.

The HAF Alliance is a collaboration of national and local charities and not-for-profit organisations with direct, on-the-ground experience of what works in providing healthy, active and fulfilling holiday activities at scale, within local authority areas.

It wants to bring attention to the efforts being made now, so that vital funding doesn’t stop, and support can be secured from policy makers and partners. This has led to the creation of the #HolidaysMatter campaign, to offer a clear understanding of the impact for families and children.

Tim Marrion, from Active Cornwall, said: “The Time2Move Holiday Programme offers this provision fully funded to children and families receiving Free School Meals in Cornwall. Why? Because these are the children who need it most, these are the children for whom without this support will be socially isolated, will miss out on healthy, nutritious food and will take part in less physical activity than their peers who are not in receipt of benefits related Free School Meals.

“We understand that those children are friends with individuals not in receipt of such benefits, hence opening the programme out to all young people in Cornwall aged 5-16. For a small fee their friends can take part, and also benefit from the healthy food and fun activities.”

The impact the Time2Move Holiday Programme has made in Cornwall since launching three years ago is significant. In 2023, more than 11,000 engaged with the programme, more than 57,000 meals were served and almost £1.5 million was spent on the provision.

“The feedback we have from parents, children and providers reinforces what a difference we are making during the holiday periods. We are now looking at ways in which we can make this a sustainable, long-term offer in Cornwall and secure future funding,” said Tim.

Active Cornwall, which is behind the Time2Move Holiday Programme is currently engaging with local MPs inviting them to visit sessions first hand this summer to garner support.

Why #HolidaysMatter. Holiday activities help to:

1) Bridge the inequalities gap - With more than four million children growing up in low-income families, holiday activities in underserved communities are vital as they bridge the inequalities gap, offering healthy, active, and fulfilling experiences during school holidays.

2) Increase engagement in physical activity - Through multi-sport opportunities, holiday activities ensure children stay engaged in enriching experiences, boosting their participation in physical activity.

3) Support school readiness – Holiday activities mitigate learning loss, helping children and young people return to school ready to succeed. These positive experiences lead to better educational outcomes.

4) Provide safe spaces - Investing in the Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector is key to providing safe spaces and access to trusted adults during holiday periods, ensuring children and young people have secure and supportive environments through holiday activities

5) Support positive mental wellbeing - Holiday activities promote positive mental wellbeing by offering fun physical activities and nutritious meals. They tackle food insecurity, social isolation, and inactivity in underserved communities.

Did you know…

· There are four million children growing up in low-income families

· There's an urgent need to not only continue the support of holiday activities in underserved communities but to expand the reach of such programmes

· Children receiving benefits related Free School Meals attended a Time2Move Holiday Programme an average of five times in 2023

· Almost 2,000 children registered with SEND requirements in Cornwall took part in 2023

· 268 different activities were organised throughout the county in 2023

· There are more than 16,000 children in Cornwall eligible for Free School Meals

To find out more about the Time2Move Holiday Programme visit Time2Move Holiday Programme – Active Cornwall

For specific questions email TimeMove2Move.HolidayProgramme@cornwall.gov.uk