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A Summer of ‘Food and Fun’ in Flintshire

Published: 22/08/2023

Hundreds of Flintshire children enjoyed free nutritious meals and fun activities this summer.

Now in its fifth year, the Food and Fun scheme is delivered by Flintshire County Council in partnership with Betsi Cadwaladr and the Welsh Local Government Association.

Over 300 primary and secondary age children took part this year between July 24 and August 10.

Councillor Mared Eastwood Cabinet Member for Education, Welsh language, Culture and Leisure said: “Food and Fun enables families to benefit from structure during the summer holidays. It helps parents with meeting childcare costs and offers paid employment to local people which is hugely beneficial for all communities.”

Over the 12 days of the programme, the children participated in a broad range of engaging activities focused on health, happiness, and wellbeing. Children attending enjoyed a healthy breakfast, snack and a hot lunch provided each day by NEWydd Catering.

Aura Leisure delivered a wide variety of sporting activities and interactive games alongside a broad offer of enrichment activities coordinated by each school. In the feedback received from the children, dodgeball, circus skills and parachute games all proved popular this year.

Children attending also learnt about nutrition and healthy diets, gained new cookery skills and enjoyed food tasting sessions. Harlech Foodservice in partnership with Newydd Catering supplied a food bag for each child during the third week of the programme with a range of ingredients to encourage families to get cooking over the holidays.

Chief Officer for Education and Youth, Claire Homard said: “We are delighted with the incredible support from our local schools this year. It’s been wonderful to visit a few and to see so many children enjoying themselves. A big thank you to all the staff involved in the coordination and delivery of Food and Fun and to our partners.”

Approximately 200 parents, carers and siblings were also welcomed to attend for weekly lunches which was hugely positive this summer following its reintroduction to the programme after the pandemic. Feedback captured on designated graffiti boards at each school included:

“My son looks forward to this every year! It just gets better and better. I love seeing his work about healthy eating. Thank you.”

“Great food, great activities, great learning. Diolch”.

Participating this year after successfully delivering the programme in previous years were: Ysgol Bryn Garth, Ysgol Bryn Gwalia, Ysgol Gronant, Ysgol Glan Aber, Queensferry Primary School, Ysgol Maesglas, Connah’s Quay High School and Ysgol Treffynnon.

St David’s High school, Saltney and Flint High School reintroduced the programme this year.

Ysgol Pen Coch and Ysgol Maes Hyfryd, both special schools in Flint, and Argoed High school in Bryn y Baal, introduced the scheme for the first time.