North Yorkshire families supported by new holiday activities and food programme
Christmas FEAST programme offers activities and meals for eligible children
Families across North Yorkshire can now access a free holiday activities programme designed to support children with enriching sessions and meals during the school holidays.
The scheme, known as FEAST is funded through the Department for Education’s holiday activities and food programme (HAF). It is administered locally by North Yorkshire Council.
Since its launch in 2021, the Government has allocated over £5.5m for activities in North Yorkshire, enabling children aged five to 16 who qualify for benefits-related free school meals to take part.
What does FEAST provide?
The programme offers a variety of sessions hosted at schools, community venues, and leisure centres. Activities range from forest schools and sports to cooking classes, gymnastics, computer programming, and animal care.
During the summer, the FEAST scheme supported more than 37,000 funded places across 87 locations with the help of 54 activity providers in the region.
Max May, strategic director at North Yorkshire Together, which coordinates FEAST on behalf of the council, said:
“Christmas is such a special time, but it can also be a juggle for families to keep children active, happy and well-fed over the holidays. Across North Yorkshire, our brilliant activity providers are putting on all sorts of fun activities, from crafts and cooking to outdoor adventures.
How FEAST helps children
For siblings Sebastian and Maria Wilkinson, the scheme has been transformative. The 14-year-old and 16-year-old from Harrogate, who are autistic, have attended Inspire Youth holiday programmes in Knaresborough for the past four years.
Through these sessions, Sebastian and Maria have gained life skills, including cooking, and confidence in social settings while enjoying fun and safe experiences.
Sebastian, who attends Mowbray School in Bedale, said:
“It’s really fun, I get to play, make new friends and do something which I actually find interesting.”
Inspire Youth’s founder and chief executive officer, Jess Ward, said the funding has enabled new sessions tailored for neurodivergent young people. She said:
“If it wasn’t for FEAST, we wouldn’t see these young people who've come here today, like Sebastian.
“The funding has enabled us to offer this additional session, and it’s lovely to have a safe space, especially for neurodivergent young people like Sebastian and Maria. It’s an opportunity for them to freely move around, socialise and just be. It means we can offer something for everyone.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for corporate services, Cllr Heather Phillips, said:
“With the cost of living still a daily challenge, this incredibly important scheme is a huge boost for families across our county.
“Thousands of children and young people will continue to benefit from free holiday activities and meals each year, supporting their wellbeing, learning and community connections during school holidays, as well as enabling them to make new friends, gain social skills and experience new opportunities.”