We're providing free summer holiday activities, and meals, to thousands of children this summer.
We received £1.1million government funding to offer activities, and lunches, to children who are eligible for free school meals over the summer holidays.
MedwayGo offers a broad range of activities, clubs and events for children aged five to 15 including physical activities such as sport, dance and nature walks; enrichment activities including arts and crafts, learning about food nutrition and wellbeing.
Children also receive a hot meal, which is made to school food standards, ensuring children have a healthy balanced meal as they would during the school day.
So far, more than 1,450 children have booked to attend one of the 750 different activity sessions on offer across Medway, which are being delivered by more than 40 providers including Medway Sport, the Street Soccer Foundation, Fuzion Active and The Parish of St Francis of Assisi. Throughout the summer holidays, the council has offered more than 14,000 activity spaces, and meals, for children.
There’s still time for parents and carers to book their child into a free activity session, find out more and sign up. The website also includes fun activity ideas and healthy recipes for the whole family to enjoy.
Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Public Health, Cllr David Brake, visited a multi-sports activity session at Brompton Academy on Tuesday, 17 August.
Supporting Medway's residents
Leader of Medway Council, Cllr Alan Jarrett, said: “We understand that the pandemic may have placed additional financial pressures on some families, and we will continue to ensure that children and families across Medway receive support. We are committed to supporting Medway’s most vulnerable residents.”
Children have been thoroughly enjoying the sessions
Cllr David Brake, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Public Health, said: “I was pleased to visit the Strive PE and Sport session at Brompton Academy and see for myself just how much children have been enjoying the activity sessions. These fantastic programmes not only provide children with the opportunity to receive a hot meal, but also to exercise, socialise and make new friends after a challenging year. We have received some fantastic feedback from parents and I am delighted that children and young people have been thoroughly enjoying the wide range of activities on offer.”
Putting children and young people at the heart of everything we do
Cllr Josie Iles, Medway Council’s Lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “I am pleased that we have continued to provide opportunities for children to receive a hot meal throughout the summer holidays. We understand that the school holidays can be a pressure point for families on lower incomes so I am pleased that more than 1,400 children have taken part in the free activity sessions, and I would encourage parents and carers to find out more. MedwayGo also supports our aspiration to become a Child-Friendly City, putting children and young people at the heart of everything we do.”