Liverpool hosts free activities for kids during February half term

Half term is here and there’s lots on across Liverpool for kids to enjoy

Children and young people will once again be able to enjoy a huge programme of activities in next week’s half term.

The Fab Feb half-term programme, which has hundreds of activities to choose from, will also see five to 16-year olds guaranteed healthy meals and snacks.

Children and young people whose families are eligible for benefits-related free school meals can take part in Fab Feb which starts on Monday, 21 February.

The whole programme of events is available through the MPAC website. Parents and carers who would like to book their children on to an activity should contact organisations directly.

Liverpool City Council co-ordinates activity programmes in the half-term breaks, complementing the Department for Education-funded Holiday and Activity Food (HAF) programmes which take place in the Easter, summer and Christmas breaks.

Over the Christmas break, Liverpool saw over 71 local organisations support over 5,800 youngsters at 75 venues and serve over 37,700 meals and snacks. The programme was also supported by 5,311 hours of volunteering.

Cllr Frazer Lake, cabinet member for social care, said:

“It’s great news that activities will be running again over the half-term break. As a council we are committed to supporting families beyond the government-funded HAF programme.

“The activity programme takes some of the stress of food insecurity off families and I know that it is valued by parent carers and children across the city. Our thanks go to all the incredible organisations who pull out all the stops to create a programme that has something for everyone.

“The success of the programme over Christmas was fantastic with some organisations also delivering activities and food on the bank holidays. We know that families are facing – and will continue to face – increasing pressure and the dedication of organisations to supporting families in this way means such a lot to so many.”

Feedback from providers

“I have worked in the voluntary section for many years and I have never experienced a programme that is so fitting for the families and children we work with and give thanks to those that have addressed the poverty and despair people have felt over the last 18 months.”

“The highlight of the programme was the Cinderella panto, the fact that none of the families had ever attended one before and the children are still talking about the panto into the New Year and want to know when they can go again.”

“Some of our children had never been to the panto and the experience of whole families having a trip out was a joy to behold.”

“The food element was a very important part of our programme. It gave parents and families reassurance that their children would receive two healthy hot meals a day. This took pressure off families who were struggling financially. Parents said it was like their children were in school being looked after and fed well.”