The full schedule for the Cheshire East Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme has been announced.

Hundreds of free places for activities over the Christmas school holidays are available in Macclesfield for parents and carers of children eligible for income-related free school meals.

Cheshire East Council has worked together with local schools, childcare providers and community and voluntary organisations to offer a wide range of free activities which are now available and easier to book via a new online system.

The new online booking method offers eligible parents the opportunity to browse and book with ease, with a clear breakdown of the activities available, and by which providers.

There are at least seven newly-announced activities for kids to attend to in the Macclesfield area.

The free places are funded by the Department for Education, as part of the government's holiday activities and food programme. The programme has been successfully run by the council since 2021, and sessions include arts and crafts, sports and games, cooking and baking, performing arts, health and well-being sessions, gardening, animal care, and days out.

Kids who are not on free school meals can also come to some of the sessions, if their parents pay for them. Please note: Prices vary for each applicable activity, but can be found by clicking the same links below.

HAF programme activities in the Macclesfield area (with clickable links to book them) are as follows:

• Sportscool will be hosting a sporting holiday club for primary school kids in Hurdsfield, on Tuesday 2nd Jan, 09:00 - 15:30. (Link)
• Cheshire Young Carers will be providing a bowling day out for children ages 6-13 in Macclesfield on Friday 5th Jan from 9:45am - 12:45pm. (Link)
• Active Sports Group are presenting a multi-sport activity camp in Ivymeade on Tuesday 2nd Jan, from 10:00am to 14:00pm. (Link)
• Everybody Health and Leisure will be holding multi-activity days at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, on Wednesday 3rd Jan from 8:45am - 15:30pm. (Link)
• Sports Coaching Group will be providing a coaching masterclass for teenagers on Tuesday 2nd Jan from 10am to 2pm. (Link)
• Cheshire Young Carers will be hosting a children's climbing event in Hurdsfield on Wednesday 3rd Jan from 14:45pm to 17:00pm. (Link)
• Sports Coaching Group are hosting a multi-sport camp in Chelford on Tuesday 2nd Jan, from 08:00am. (Link)

Councillor Carol Bulman, lead member for children and families at Cheshire East Council, said: "Christmas can be a very expensive time for families and this vital programme supports those most in need."

"This is a great scheme that provides children and young people with a healthy meal, the chance to socialise, learn, be more active and have fun over the winter break.

"The new online booking system is easy to use, and I thank everyone involved in its development." 

There are also limited spaces available to support children and young people who don't receive income related free school meals but would benefit from the scheme. For example, to support a child with a disability, or those supported by a social worker or other professional. Parents and carers are advised to speak to their child's lead practitioner or social worker who can support their application. 

Parents and carers not eligible for the free places or the additional discretionary spaces are asked to contact the activity organisers directly, as some do offer fee-paying sessions.

The programme sits alongside the government's household support fund, which aims to help families across England with the cost of food, energy, water bills and other essentials. 

Children will go back to school the week after the programme ends.  

The news follows last week's announcement of free gym and swim memberships for kids on free school meals at Macclesfield Leisure Centre, by Everybody Health and Leisure. (And now teenagers are eligible too (here).

And of course, there are even more activities beyond Macclesfield, with a total of 72 across Cheshire East. Click HERE for the full list.

For more help and advice on the cost of living including the household support fund and how to find out if your child is eligible for income related free school meals, visit: www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/costofliving or call 0300 123 5012.

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