Life-saving skills and free food are to be given at an activity class while the schools are off this Christmas.

Everybody Sport and Recreation will be getting children in Macclesfield water confident over the Christmas holidays as part of the winter Multi Activity Days.

The group, who run Macclesfield Leisure Centre on Priory Lane, are hosting another scheme following July's successful free meals and activity programme throughout the summer holidays.

The festive fun filled multi-activity days will provide a fun and safe location for children and young people to come and relax, make friends and be active during the winter holiday period. Helping children and young people to build confidence and self-esteem while improving social skills, co-ordination and fitness levels.

Everybody activity leads will deliver planned activities such as sports hall activities, team games, crafts, healthy eating sessions and more, plus the enhanced offer with their new 'Let's Get Swimming' water confidence sessions.

The classes are provided from money via Cheshire East Council's Holiday Activity Fund.

Children entitled to free school meals are eligible for free places on Everybody's Multi Activity Days.

The classes are also open to book for those non-eligible for free school meals, for which we have detailed at the bottom of the article.

Learning essential water confidence skills could be more valuable than any present a child may receive this Christmas.

Lee Malkin, Sports Development Manager at Everybody Sport and Recreation identified a need to teach key water skills:

"During our summer holiday activity programme in Macclesfield, we found that 85% of children on a funded place were identified as a weak or non-swimmer, as well as 32% of children who were on a paid place.

"We quickly recognised an urgent need for this essential life skill to be available to children accessing our holiday scheme.

"This winter children and young people will be able to improve their swimming ability by attending our new water confidence sessions 'Everybody Let's Get Swimming'.

"The sessions are a fun 45 minute water based activity with a chance to develop swimming skills, water confidence and strength. For all abilities, sessions will complete with an opportunity to have a taster of water-polo games, lifesaving activities, or Christmas themed competitions all led by qualified swimming instructors."

Multi Activity Days will be available at Macclesfield Leisure Centre on the 21st, 22nd and 23rd December, from 9am-3pm, for those aged 8 to school Year 8.

All children will receive a goody bag with a swim hat, goggles and certificate to say they have completed Everybody's 'Let's Get Swimming' sessions.

Booking is essential as spaces are limited.

For more information about free funded places which include a hot meal and healthy snacks and drinks from Taste for Life Cafe please contact: [email protected]

As well as funded places, Everybody Sport and Recreation's Multi Activity Days at Macclesfield Leisure Centre has places available to book from £16 per day which will also include the new 'Let's Get Swimming' water confidence sessions.

These sessions will be available to book from Monday 29th November.

Find out more about the holiday activities and how to book here.

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