Corby activity provider becomes part of £220m Government scheme to offer free holiday fun for children

Corby Sports Dimensions is providing the places under the government's Holiday Acvtivity Funding scheme
Children learn cooking skills from experts.Children learn cooking skills from experts.
Children learn cooking skills from experts.

An established Corby holiday club and activity firm is part of a government scheme to offer children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals and half day of free activities every day over the Easter holidays.

CSD Activity Camps are utilising the government's Holiday Activity Funding which gives every child entitled to free school meals, and all SEN children, access to four hours of activities and a free meal every day. The scheme is the Government's response to research that suggests school holidays are difficult for low income families because of increased expenditure and reduced incomes.

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CSD, which was started by local mum Rosemary Saunders eleven years ago, is running camps in Corby, Cottingham, Oundle and Kettering this Easter.

The four hours of funding is being made available through a government scheme to address inequalities.The four hours of funding is being made available through a government scheme to address inequalities.
The four hours of funding is being made available through a government scheme to address inequalities.

The government money will allow CSD to continue to go above and beyond, in collaboration with other organisations in the area to deliver a full programme of more than 20 sporting activities, creative outlets and lifeskill sessions including cooking lessons and team challenges based on questioning social injustices.

The scheme is accessed through local schools and CSD organisers are encouraging other local headteachers to get involved to help more local children to benefit.

The government has outlined that the fund should continue through Summer and Christmas break. However this depends on each county's success at Easter.

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CSD will also be continuing their partnership with Big Chefs Kitchen, a local business that has been providing three healthy meals a day, cooking lessons and mentorship to the company's Kettering provisions.

CSD Director Rosemary Saunders, said: “I am thrilled to be amongst the highest level of organisations such as Saints, Cobblers, and Premier Sport when receiving the government funding”.

CSD’s Funding Executive Zoe McGhee was recently nominated for a Spirit of Corby award as a reflection of the hard work she has done for local children through her CSD work, including their toy and coat donation appeal that took place before Christmas. This resulted in a free drop in pop up shop, inside Kingswood Community Centre and Ise Lodge Scout Hut.

Zoe said: "What is exciting to me is the potential number of children the Holiday Activity Fund could reach. The support CSD provides should be available to children everywhere.

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"It is humbling to be part of the national effort to eradicate food poverty and give children a safe and nurturing environment to spend their holidays. Once again, I am really looking forward to seeing our work in action."

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