Funding launched to help disadvantaged families during school holidays

New funding of £2 million for organisations to research ways of supporting disadvantaged families during the school holidays has been launched.

The Holiday Activities and Food Research Fund will go towards exploring how best to help the most disadvantaged children to benefit from healthy meals and enriching activities.

Organisations across the country are being invited to apply for a share of the funding pot and will be encouraged to work across a number of regions, or in partnership with other experts.

Education minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “I encourage charities and expert organisations across the country to apply to take part in this exciting programme to help us better understand children’s current access to healthy meals and enriching activity during the school holidays.

“We want every child to reach their potential and healthy meals and activities can contribute to their development and improved attainment.”

Evidence suggests that attending out-of-school activities can have a positive impact on children’s educational, health and well-being outcomes.

The research fund will help to ensure that every child, whatever their background or wherever they are growing up, has the opportunity to reach their potential.

It follows the announcement in January that the government would undertake initial research in 2018 followed by a targeted pilot programme in the 2019 Easter and summer holidays.

The bid round opened on 28 March 2018 and will close on Wednesday 18 April 2018. There will be a separate bidding process for participation in the 2019 Easter and Summer pilots. Organisations can bid for the funding on Contracts Finder