Another successful summer for Food and Fun at Ceredigion schools
231 Ceredigion pupils took part in the Welsh Local Government Association's (WLGA) Food and Fun Scheme this summer.
This year, Ysgol Comins Coch, Ysgol Gymunedol Plascrug, Ysgol Llwyn yr Eos, Ysgol Bro Pedr, Ysgol T Llew Jones and Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi all hosted the programme in their schools during the summer holiday.
The Food and Fun Scheme, a WLGA grant funded initiative, is a school-based education programme that provides food and nutrition education, physical activity, enrichment sessions and healthy meals free of charge to children and young people across Wales during the summer holidays.
The six schools worked in partnership with Ceredigion County Council and Hywel Dda Health Board’s Dietetic Team, to welcome over 200 children along with their families to the scheme during the summer. The scheme ran for three weeks, offering an exciting timetable of activities and healthy meals to the children. At the end of every week, families had the opportunity to join their children at the school for a family lunch. Pupils took part in activities such as football, multi-sports, hockey, rugby, cricket, dance, arts and crafts, swimming, nature crafts, gardening, play, meeting birds of prey and more.
Councillor Wyn Thomas, Cabinet Member for Schools, Lifelong Learning and Skills, said: “It’s fantastic to hear that children from across the county had so much fun whilst attending the food and fun schemes this year. The family lunches were also a success in each school, with almost 200 parents joining their children for a tasty meal each week. The scheme offered a range of opportunities for children to have fun, socialise and learn about their health and wellbeing. This scheme has proved successful in bridging the gap for many pupils over the summer holiday and it is good to see so many children and young people benefitting.”
Emily Evans, Food and Fun Coordinator at Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi, said: “It was great to be able to offer the Food and Fun scheme to Ysgol Gynradd Aberteifi pupils during the summer holiday again this year. It was also nice to welcome some of our families to join the children for family lunches as part of the scheme, and the children enjoyed a nutritious breakfast and lunch each day. The summer holiday can often feel like a long time for children and therefore we saw the value in delivering this scheme to families. Pupils in years 3 to 6 had the opportunity to learn new skills and gain new experiences with their peers. The staff organised a whole host of interesting activities for the children including arts and crafts, cooking and tasting new foods, STEM and various sports.”
A pupil who attended one of the schemes said: “Thanks to all the staff for a lovely time. My favourite part was playing volleyball and learning about nutrition.”
One parent mentioned: “Amazing programme! It has really helped my children with their confidence especially around food choices. The family day is a brilliant idea. Food is great! Thanks to all the staff.”
Another parent added: “My daughter’s enjoying doing new things with the support of the school. Being here has made her happy and she’s discovered new games and skills to enjoy and take with her into the new school year. A fab scheme!”
Ceredigion Council would like to thank all the providers who were involved in the activities, the Local Authority's Catering Service for preparing healthy and tasty meals each day, Hywel Dda Health Board’s dietetic team, and to the six schools and their staff who ran the programme, for their hard work in organising this valuable opportunity for their pupils in their communities.
