Twenty free Christmas camp places for low-income families thanks to Corby firm's Covid grant

A Corby holiday camp firm that provides care for children across the county has been given a £3,000 grant to help low-income families access their services.

CSD Activity Camps received Covid-19 Recovery Response grant from Northants Community Fund to allow their highly-trained team to provide 20 children from low-income families with a place at their Christmas camp.

In partnership with local schools and social services, CSD will offer free sporting activities, art and craft and cooking lessons for five days in the Christmas school holiday. As well as childcare, the grant will also allow CSD to provide three meals a day to each child who attends.

The meals will be cooked by local business Big Chef's Kitchen.

Following on from the Government’s recent announcement that free school meals will be cut during holidays, in October CSD and BCK took it upon themselves to make sure each child’s hunger needs were met. Both organisations are hoping this partnership can continue.

In order to win the grant CSD dhad to detail the work they had done through the first lockdown and beyond, organising Covid-secure venues at Oakley Vale Primary Academy, Cottingham Primary School and Ise Lodge Scout Hut with activities to make sure key worker, low-income and vulnerable children are able to enjoy a physical and mental well-being release.

After her daughter’s experience at the October camp in Cottingham, parent Fiona Vickers said: “She loved every minute of it, from baking, the arts and crafts, to the quizzes and games. She even enjoyed earning certificates very much. She even asked to stay longer!

"We will definitely be booking for over the Christmas period."

CSD is now appealing to local businesses and families for their Christmas Toy Drive. The aim is to provide children who may not get the same wonderful festivities as others with a Christmas present. More information will be available on the firm's social media.

Director Rosemary Saunders said: "We’re so pleased to be able to continue helping vulnerable children to access facilities the same as that of their peers and to ensure they will be nourished while partaking in physical activities and building invaluable life skills.

"CSD has always provided snacks and meals to children, but after the announcement was made we all knew we had to step up and make sure not just children but our families, had access to food. That’s why in our October camp we sent home food boxes with our most deserving parents, and this is something we aim to continue to provide to all of our families."

CSD’s funding executive Zoe McGhee said: "We are all really proud of the work CSD do and how much progress has been made since I came on board in my funding role.

"I have worked with the organisation since I was 18, so I have seen first-hand the amazing impact CSD have. It is brilliant to have that not only recognised but funded by Northants Community Fund.

"We all know just how important it is to nurture the confidence of children and to teach them skills that will continuously be a benefit. This grant demonstrates just how passionate myself and the rest of CSD are on the issue of food poverty, and the well-being of local children."