Disadvantaged Hartlepool youngsters offered free summer holiday activities

Children North East (CNE) is one of only seven organisations across the country chosen to be part of a £2m Government pilot project examining the benefits of free school holiday activities.

Hundreds of families in financial hardship will benefit from free healthy meals and activities during the holidays thanks to the Department for Education initiative.

In the North East, Children North East has been awarded just under £227,000 for its North East Summer Holiday Clubs Project, which is being delivered now in 16 schools for around four weeks, across Teesside, County Durham, Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

In Hartlepool High Tunstall College of Science and West View Primary School will be taking part.

Children and Families Minister, Nadhim Zahawi, said: “I’d like to congratulate Children North East who will run the DfE North East Summer

Holiday Clubs Project this summer to support the most disadvantaged families across the North East of England.

“This scheme will open the door to exciting, engaging activities for young people, make sure they are getting a healthy meal, and above all, give them the summer holiday memories and experiences they all deserve.”

Children North East Chief Executive Jeremy Cripps, said: “Parents will be relieved from financial pressure to feed children who usually have free school meals in term time and will be reassured their children are safe, entertained and happy.”


A Northumbria University study last year found holiday clubs have a huge impact on children’s health, wellbeing and education.