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Summer holiday fun days aimed at children who qualify for free school meals have been lined up at Erewash’s museum plus three other venues across the borough – as the council continues to help local families hit hardest by the cost of living.
The activity days from 10am to 2pm include a packed lunch. At the museum they are for youngsters aged seven to 12 and feature crafts and games – plus access to the popular “beach” that opens there for summer.
The first of the Erewash Museum Holiday Activity and Food Club events is on Monday July 29. It will be followed by one on Tuesday 30 July – with the fun days continuing on the first two days of the week until Tuesday 20 August.
Ilkeston’s Rutland Sports Park and the Long Eaton School in Thoresby Road will host similar fun days from Tuesdays to Fridays. At the sports park they kick off on 30 July and continue to 9 August. In Long Eaton they are from 20 August until the end of the month.
While all these sessions are for seven to 12-year-olds, there will also be ones for older children – called Teen Holiday Activity and Hot Food. These clubs for youngsters aged 13 and over will be held each Thursday in August at Cotmanhay Pavilion in Shirebrook Close from 5pm to 7pm.
All the fun days are part of a county-wide initiative called It’s About Me, which gets funding from the Department for Education. Families need to book in advance to enrol children using a code available from school offices. Info can be found at erewashboroughcouncil.coordinate.cloud/list
The events are billed as “a brilliant mix of fun action-packed days and tasty food”. An official said: “Places are available on a first come, first served basis, with priority given to children who receive benefit-related free school meals and those with vulnerabilities.” Depending on demand, some youngsters who do not get free school meals may be able to attend. Inquiries can be emailed to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Erewash Museum near Ilkeston Market Place is normally open to the public on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11am to 4pm. Entry is free. Erewash’s Deputy Leader Cllr Becca Everett, who is Lead Member for Community Engagement, said:
“The council is proud to continue what is now a tradition of running school holiday clubs. They are always extremely popular.
“Keeping children fit and active during the summer holidays can be a challenge. Our fun days, which include a healthy lunch for those who get free school meals, are the perfect solution.”
One local parent who previously rushed to sign up said: “My children loved it – thank you! I loved seeing them all red faced from running around when I went to collect them.”
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