Andy Munns
Wiltshire Council’s Holiday Activity and Food programme, FUEL, is back for the Christmas holidays following a summer of success which saw activities delivered across the county.
Wiltshire Council’s Holiday Activity and Food programme, FUEL (Food, Unity, Energy and Laughter), is funded by the Department for Education and provides eligible children with free access to activity, food and nutritional education during school holidays.
Following a challenging summer, which saw its main provider cease trading, Wiltshire Council worked with a range of organisations to ensure families didn’t miss out.
More than 1,300 young people took part in sessions, and nearly 10,000 nutritious meals were provided.
Many of the same organisations will again support the council to provide activities for the FUEL programme during the Christmas school holiday.
The council will be working with:
- PH Sports
- Dayla Equine Assisted Learning and Monksley Ltd
- Elevation X Ltd
- UK S Futures
- Revolution Performing Arts Ltd
- The Pound Arts Trust Ltd
- Seeds4Success
- Magna Learning Partnership
- Sam Ivin Photography
- West Wilts Gymnastics and Fitness
- Next Thing Education Ltd
- Wiltshire Outdoor Learning Team
In addition to the above activities, the council will once again offer provision specifically for individuals with SEND. These activities will take place in Corsham and Salisbury.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Christmas can be a challenging time for some families so we’re pleased once again that our FUEL programme can provide the children with lots of fun things to do and hopefully ease a little pressure for the grown-ups in the process.
“Many of the organisations that supported us in the summer are back and we’re pleased to be working alongside them once again following such a successful programme.”
Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Leisure, and Public Health said: “FUEL continues to provide children with opportunities to have the best start in life, and to see the programme continue to thrive is not only pleasing but really important.
“We hope that those eligible can take advantage of the programme and that it helps as many families as possible at a particularly busy time of the year.”
For more information about the programme and how to request a place, people should visit https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/FUEL-programme.
