Northampton kids to benefit from FREE Holiday and Activity Programme

A government initiative for holiday activities that is being rolled out across the whole of England in 2021 will see 230 places a day for children in Northampton delivered by Trilogy Leisure across the town.

Trilogy Leisure will deliver a daily four-hour initiative, including a healthy and nutritious meal, over 5 weeks, funded by the Department for Education for those young people aged 5 to 16 who are in receipt of free school meals.

“We are delighted to be playing our part supporting children and families across Northampton this summer.” said John Fletcher, Managing Director of Trilogy Leisure. “It is more important than ever for our children to be more active during the school holidays and take part in engaging and enriching activities which support the development of resilience, character and wellbeing along with their wider educational attainment.”

Trilogy Leisure, which operates Cripps Recreation Centre, Danes Camp, Duston Sports Centre, Lings Forum, The Mounts Baths and the Forum Cinema as well as Berzerk Soft Play Centre is able to offer the following daily provision this summer:

• 150 places at Berzerk Soft Play Centre
• 20 places across its Holiday Playscheme at Duston Sports Centre and Lings Forum Leisure Centre
• 60 places at Blacky More Community Centre in partnership with East Hunsbury Parish Council

The programme, commissioned by Public Health Northamptonshire and delivered by Northamptonshire Sport and its partners across the county, is aimed at countering the triple inequalities facing Northamptonshire’s most disadvantaged young people – holiday hunger, physical inactivity and social isolation.

To be eligible for funded places children must be aged 5 to 16 and in receipt of benefits related free school meals. Activities will be available for booking from 19th July 2021 and those entitled can register at holidayactivities.org

“Opening up our centres and our services to more children this summer is something we are proud to be doing.” John Fletcher continued. “Just two years ago the Institute for Social Innovation and Impact at the University of Northampton found that our work at Trilogy contributes in excess of £3.5 million economic benefit to the residents of Northampton and to ensure more people than ever, via this Government programme, can be part of that benefit is good news for us all.”

“We are genuinely looking forward to welcoming so many children to our centres this summer.”

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