Feeding Britain, the charity set up by Birkenhead MP Frank Field, is running a major programme of summer food and fun for thousands of children across the country.
It follows Mr Field's successful campaign for the Department for Education to set up a £2m fund to boost children’s access to healthy meals and enriching activities during school holidays.
Feeding Britain is using a share of this fund to provide this service to children in Birkenhead, Barnsley, Bradford, Bristol, Cheshire, Coventry, Knowsley, Leicester, and South Shields.
The campaign was built upon the finding that three million children are at risk of going hungry during school holidays.
The summer break is particularly hard, as low-income families can struggle to cover the additional food costs over six weeks, particularly in the absence of free school meals.
One consequence of that struggle is a widening of inequalities in the classroom – with some disadvantaged children returning to school hungry, sluggish and unprepared to learn, falling several weeks further behind their more fortunate peers.
Over the next six weeks, more than 70 projects across the Feeding Britain network will make it a summer to remember for children and their families, with a host of activities ranging from art clubs and archaeological digs to zoo ranger visits and dancing.
Mr Field said: “This programme represents the single biggest national effort in decades specifically to improve children’s access to meals and activities during the holidays.
"Feeding Britain’s role to date, in gaining this programme, has been crucial.
"Likewise, Feeding Birkenhead has led the way over the past three years in demonstrating how to build up such programmes successfully.
"Now begins an even more significant task of finding out, and then developing into a universal service, the most effective ways of ensuring every child across Merseyside and the rest of the country can eat well and have fun during the holidays.”
FEEDING BIRKENHEAD TIMETABLE:
Wednesday 15th August
Free Breakfast Club
9.30am – 11am
Café at the St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Trip to Eureka! (£6 for adults, £4 for children)
9.30am departure from St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Free Breakfast
10am
The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB
George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008
Paper Plate Masks, Pool, Circus Skills and Breakfast (ages 6-14)
10am – 12.30pm
Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS
Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Prenton Community Shop, 29 Dickens Avenue, Prenton, CH43 0TQ
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Mayer Hall, The Village, Lower Bebington, CH63 7PL
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
St Andrew’s Church, Noctorum Avenue, Noctorum, CH43 9YU
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Courtney Park, 10-12 Courtney Road, Rock Ferry, CH42 1QS
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Overchurch Community Shop, 97 Royden Road, Overchurch, CH49 4LX
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Social supermarket followed by Fun and Food at Beaconsfield
10am – 4pm
Beaconsfield Community House, Beaconsfield Close, Rock Ferry, CH42 3YN
Ema Wilkes, ema@neocommunity.org.uk, 07447 913 888
Hot lunch, take-home dinner bags and activities
11am – 1.15pm
Bidston Rise Community Building, 29 Clover Drive, Birkenhead, CH41 7DZ
Stef Parsons, hopeforthehungry@outlook.com, 07377 376 232
Den Building, Pool, Circus Skills, Lunch and Snacks (ages 6-14)
2pm – 4.15pm (5pm – 7pm for ages 11 and over)
Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS
Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645
Free Cooked Meals
Afternoons
The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB
George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008
Family Fun Day
Carr Bridge Community Centre, Carr Bridge Road, Woodchurch, CH49 8EU
Moira McAdam, welcometobobsplace@hotmail.com, 07553 060 901
Thursday 16th August
Free Breakfast Club
9.30am – 11am
Café at the St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Chester Zoo Safari Rangers @ St James Library
10am
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Free Breakfast
10am
The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB
George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008
Jester Hats, Pool, Circus Skills and Breakfast (ages 6-14)
10am – 12.30pm
Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS
Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Prenton Community Shop, 29 Dickens Avenue, Prenton, CH43 0TQ
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Mayer Hall, The Village, Lower Bebington, CH63 7PL
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
St Andrew’s Church, Noctorum Avenue, Noctorum, CH43 9YU
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Courtney Park, 10-12 Courtney Road, Rock Ferry, CH42 1QS
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Overchurch Community Shop, 97 Royden Road, Overchurch, CH49 4LX
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Neo Community Fest (for further information contact Ema Wilkes on ema@neocommunity.org.uk or 07447 913 888)
Hot lunch, take-home dinner bags and activities
11am – 1.15pm
Bidston Rise Community Building, 29 Clover Drive, Birkenhead, CH41 7DZ
Stef Parsons, hopeforthehungry@outlook.com, 07377 376 232
Board Games and Story Time with Lunch Packs for Children
Midday
Carr Bridge Community Centre, Carr Bridge Road, Woodchurch, CH49 8EU
Moira McAdam, welcometobobsplace@hotmail.com, 07553 060 901
Family Adventures with Food, with Debbie (£2 per session)
1pm – 3pm
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Clown Masks, Pool, Circus Skills, Lunch and Snacks (ages 6-14)
2pm – 4.15pm
Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS
Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645
Free Cooked Meals
Afternoons
The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB
George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008
Friday 17th August
Free Breakfast Club
9.30am – 11am
Café at the St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Ring Toss, Pool, Football, and Tennis, with Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks (ages 6-14)
10am – 3pm
Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS
Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645
Free Breakfast
10am
The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB
George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008
Just for Kids, with Michelle and Alfie
11am – 1pm
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Hot Lunch Club for the Whole Family
Midday – 1pm
St Bedes Hall, Claughton Village
Holly Warren, hollywarren614@gmail.com
Dance and Film Club with Lunch Packs for Children
Midday
Carr Bridge Community Centre, Carr Bridge Road, Woodchurch, CH49 8EU
Moira McAdam, welcometobobsplace@hotmail.com, 07553 060 901
Adventures on Bidston Hill (scavenger hunt and picnic, family activity)
2pm – 4pm
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Reptile Club with Snacks
3pm – 4pm
Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS
Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645
Buffet Dinner
5.30pm – 7pm
Bidston Rise Community Building, 29 Clover Drive, Birkenhead, CH41 7DZ
Stef Parsons, hopeforthehungry@outlook.com, 07377 376 232
Monday 20th August
Free Breakfast Club
9.30am – 11am
Café at the St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Jolly Tots – exploring with paint and bubbles
9am – 11am
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Free Breakfast
10am
The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB
George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008
Colouring Pictures, Pool, Football and Breakfast (ages 6-14)
10am – 12.30pm
Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS
Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Prenton Community Shop, 29 Dickens Avenue, Prenton, CH43 0TQ
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Mayer Hall, The Village, Lower Bebington, CH63 7PL
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
St Andrew’s Church, Noctorum Avenue, Noctorum, CH43 9YU
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Courtney Park, 10-12 Courtney Road, Rock Ferry, CH42 1QS
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Play scheme with lunch
10am – 2pm
Overchurch Community Shop, 97 Royden Road, Overchurch, CH49 4LX
Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030
Community Dinner (free for children) followed by social supermarket
11.30am – 2.30pm
Beaconsfield Community House, Beaconsfield Close, Rock Ferry, CH42 3YN
Ema Wilkes, ema@neocommunity.org.uk, 07447 913 888
Monday Club – making a summer mural
Midday – 1.30pm
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974
Hot Lunch Club for the Whole Family
Midday – 1pm
St Bedes Hall, Claughton Village
Holly Warren, hollywarren614@gmail.com
Fire Pit & Marshmallows, Pool, Tennis, Lunch and Snacks (ages 6-14, sailing at West Kirby for ages 8 and over)
2pm – 4.15pm
Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS
Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645
Fun Club and Lunch Packs for Children
2.30pm – 4.30pm
Carr Bridge Community Centre, Carr Bridge Road, Woodchurch, CH49 8EU
Moira McAdam, welcometobobsplace@hotmail.com, 07553 060 901
Free Cooked Meals
Afternoons
The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB
George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008
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