Fit and Fed, a national programme that combines sport with healthy food choices, will return to three locations in Wiltshire during the Easter holidays.
Run by Wiltshire Council in partnership with Salisbury City Council, Anybody Can Cook, Selwood Housing Group, Studley Green Primary School and Active Trowbridge, the Fit and Fed sessions have been developed by sports charity StreetGames as a response to a growing body of research on the inequalities of hunger, isolation, and inactivity during school holiday periods.
The free activity sessions enable young people and their families to prepare a healthy meal and learn about healthy eating, and also give participants the opportunity to take part in fun games and a range of activities.
The programme supports families on lower incomes, or those who have free school meals, and aims to help alleviate the issues of isolation and improve fitness levels during the school holidays.
John Thomson, cabinet member for leisure, said: “Fit and Fed is a really good initiative that helps families to keep active in school holidays, as well as providing support so that the children attending and their whole family can achieve long term positive health and wellbeing.
“The free sessions offer valuable advice for the whole family on living a healthier life, but most importantly the emphasis is on having fun.”
Amee Dewitt, Selwood Housing community engagement facilitator, said: “School holidays can be a challenging time for some families, when budgets become further stretched and the support of a hot, school meal each day is not there.
“Through the free Fit and Fed activity sessions, the whole family can learn about planning meals on a tight budget and keeping that holiday hunger at bay.”
The Easter holiday Fit and Fed programmes will take place in Salisbury at The Friary Community Hall on Friday 6 April, 11.30am-2.30pm; and Bemerton Heath Neighbourhood Centre on Wednesday 11 April, 11.30am-2.30pm.
In Trowbridge, the programme will visit Studley Green Primary School on Thursday 12 April, 11am-2pm.
The programmes are aimed at young people over the age of five and their parents must attend with their children.
For further information or to book a place, please contact Karlene Jammeh, sports development officer, on 01722 434437 or email sportsdevelopment@wiltshire.gov.uk.
To find out more about the Wiltshire StreetGames programme, go to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-activities-for-young-people
