Welsh school holiday food programme reaches major milestone

Nation.Cymru staff

More than one million places have now been provided through a Welsh school holiday scheme offering children free meals and activities during the summer break.

384 schools across all 22 Welsh local authorities are taking part in the The Bwyd a Hwyl Food and Fun programme this summer, with more than 16,000 places available each day.

The scheme, which began as a Cardiff Council pilot before being expanded across Wales, provides breakfasts and lunches alongside activities for children and young people during the school holidays.

It has received £5.85m from the Welsh Government this year and is coordinated nationally by the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA).

More than one million funded places have now been provided during the programme’s 11 years of operation.

Activities are offered in Welsh and English and are intended to give children opportunities to socialise and take part in activities during the summer while also helping families with the cost of food during the school holidays.

Cabinet Minister for Education and the Welsh Language Anna Brychan visited Blenheim Road Primary School to mark the one-million milestone.

This year’s theme is Chwedlau, or Legends, with children taking part in activities based around local and national figures and stories from the past and present.

Ms Brychan said: “One million places to support learners has only been reached thanks to the hard work of the education and local authority workforce, who create an interesting programme for learners.

“Bwyd a Hwyl Food and Fun provides many benefits, including helping to build confidence, supports wellbeing and gives learners the chance to try new things and spend time with friends during the summer holidays in the familiar environment of their school.

“During my visit to Blenheim Road Primary School, it was clear to see how the programme benefits learners and how much they were enjoying themselves.

“The focus on food literacy was particularly welcome, as was the wealth of volunteering opportunities the programme offers local young people, to work alongside and learn from experienced youth and play leads.”

Family budgets

The programme began its second decade this summer after growing from its original pilot into the national School Holiday Enrichment Programme.

WLGA education spokesperson Cllr Lis Burnett said the provision could also ease some of the financial pressures families face during the school holidays.

She said: “Healthy meals, fun activities, and opportunities to learn and socialise help children thrive during the school holidays, while easing pressure on family budgets and supports children in readiness for return to school in September.

“Providing more than one million funded places over the past 11 years is a remarkable milestone.

“It reflects the dedication of councils, schools, and their partners across Wales, and we are proud to work with the Welsh Government to give even more children these valuable opportunities.”

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