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A host of activities for children and young people gets underway in South Tyneside this week as the free Holiday Activities and Food programme launches into action.

Run by Â鶹ÊÓƵ and its partners and funded by the Department for Education, the activities are free for those aged five to 16 who are entitled to benefit-related free school meals and up to 18 for young people with additional needs, also receiving free school meals.

One woman who is using the scheme is mother-of-four 39-year-old Kelly Warren from Biddick Hall in South Shields.

Her four children - 15-year-old Roman and three-year-old Frankie - together with step-children 13-year-old McKenzie and 11-year-old Sky - all attend activities.

She said: "The clubs are brilliant. The summer holidays are long and it can be expensive keeping children entertained, especially with the cost-of-living crisis.

"With prices for everything going up, the clubs are a godsend. I valued them last year but I think I will value them even more this year."

She added: "The older children are on the autism spectrum so it's good for them to be interacting throughout the long summer break and still having some sort of routine otherwise going back to school would be difficult for them."

The programme will run for the whole six weeks of the summer holidays with activities ranging from drama to cheerleading and surfing to musical theatre.

The programme is further evidence that the Council is delivering on its ambition of targeting support to make things fairer.

Councillor Adam Ellison, Lead Member for Children's and Families' Social Care, said: "The Holiday Activities and Food programme grows in popularity every year.

"I'm delighted that the programme is making a real difference to families and I'd like to place on record my thanks to all our partners without whose help we would not be able to run these activities which are clearly a lifeline to many people."

This year the Council is also providing food vouchers to families whose children receive free school meals over the summer holidays. The vouchers are worth £10 per eligible child per week so £60 in total per child over the holiday period.

Places for the activities must be booked in advance as soon as possible. To book a place visit    or to find out more about the HAF programme email HAF@southtyneside.gov.uk

Children who aren't eligible may still be able to attend some of the same activities, as well as other free and paid-for activities. To find out more visit