The Winter 2021 Holiday Activities and Food Programme to return to Brighton this Christmas

Children and teenagers from families facing financial challenges will be able to participate in the free Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) scheme this Christmas.

Children, aged 4 to 16, who are in full-time education and receive benefits-related free school meals will be able to participate in the scheme, which originally ran over the summer.

The Christmas holiday programme is entirely free, and runs from Monday 20 December to Friday 24 December, with some activities, along with meals, continuing until December 31.

Eighteen venues - including gyms, clubs and community organisations - will be opening their doors, with meals offered at every location.

Councillor Hannah Clare, chair of the council's Children, Young People and Skills Committee, said: “School holidays can be a particularly difficult time for some families due to increased food and childcare costs and reduced incomes.

“This winter, owing to recent increases in food and energy prices, families are particularly worried about food insecurity, according to new data from The Food Foundation.