The Business for Calderdale Committee have donated nearly £8,000 to the Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) to be given out as grants to support Healthy Holidays (Half Terms) Calderdale, a partnership scheme with Calderdale Council.
Surplus funds generated from the 2022 Business for Calderdale awards will provide free holiday schemes for local children during the half term holidays in May and October 2023. Healthy Holidays Calderdale schemes provide much needed holiday places free to children eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
The Department for Education fund Healthy Holidays Calderdale schemes during the longer school holidays but we know in Calderdale that the half term school holidays can be pressure points for some families too. For some children that can lead to a holiday experience gap. Children from low-income households are less likely to access organised out-of-school activities, more likely to experience ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of nutrition and physical health, and more likely to experience social isolation. Having access to fun physical and enriching activities and a hot meal and snacks is crucial to families.
Steve Duncan, CEO of CFFC who manage the grants explained, “This donation of £7,900 will really support children and give them fun holiday experiences during half term breaks whilst also tackling disadvantage in Calderdale. We are finding that in the cost-of-living crisis more families are in need, and we still have the same amount of funding to work with, so this additional money to give out as grants is hugely appreciated.”
Chair of Business for Calderdale, Nick Worsnop added, “Reducing inequalities and investing in children is important for the Business for Calderdale Committee and this is a direct way that we can make a difference. If we are to celebrate excellence in business in Calderdale in future years, it is vital that we sow the seed and support young people to receive the best start to life and education now.”
Nominations for this years’ Business for Calderdale Awards will open shortly. To be notified when nominations are open, visit www.businessforcalderdale.co.uk and register your details.
