We all know Christmas can be expensive. Last year the average UK family budgeted £350 for their Christmas food, presents and decorations. Yet nearly two-thirds of us spent up to £250 over our budget.
Here we have put together some details of providers who are offering free places for eligible children over the Christmas holiday period. These places are being provided through the DfE’s Holiday Activity and Food Fund scheme.
These fun and educational activity sessions are for vulnerable children and young people, which includes those eligible for free school meals as a minimum. Eligibility will be expanded where possible please make contact with individual providers to book and find out further details.
Active Holiday Camps | Planet Active Holiday Camps
For children aged 5 to 14 years, their active courses enable children to enjoy a wide variety of energetic holiday activities and sports in a safe and supportive environment. These range from traditional favourites like football, tennis and cricket to new additions such as dodgeball, tag-rugby, ‘capture the flag’ inflatables, go-karts and Sports Leader Courses. These run at Andover Leisure Centre and Smannell and Enham Primary School. Give them a call on 02381103448
Each club day is themed around the world that we live in and offers a range of fully inclusive and educational activities which are suitable for children in school years R through to 8. These run at Augusta Park Community Centre, East Anton Farm Road, Andover. Give them a call on 03301330573
Christmas Free Family Fun Days
Exciting activities are taking place during the school Christmas holidays in Andover at Harrow Way Community School.
Lots of activities with special festive entertainment each day, everyday is free with a hot meal provided, children must be accompanied by a parent/carer. Bookings are now open, please Click here to book
Youth events are taking place for 11 – 16 year olds, these include Daily trips to Flip Out, Bowling, Escape Rooms, with all young people who attend being given a free cinema ticket which can be used at Andover Odeon. These are now available to book on the website connect4.org.uk
All local events that are taking place in Andover can be found here in the events section of our website.
If you are struggling to pay for necessities like food , we have put together a list of local support that is available for the Andover Community.
- Andover Foodbank are part of the nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. Andover foodbank provides emergency food and support to local people in crisis working in partnership with local agencies and professional care workers. They rely on the people of Andover for donations, support and volunteers to help our community. You can get a food bank voucher from a front line professional, such as a doctor, social worker, adviser at Citizens Advice Bureau, police or your childs school.Read more here
- The RCS at Longmeadow , Crickets way , Andover. They run a community pantry which is open for everyone to use in Andover. They also provide emergency boxes for those that need them. Read more about the RCS here
- The YMCA, on Augusta park in Andover. The Community Cupboard was set up to support vulnerable families within our community in Andover. They are now collecting FareShare from our local Tesco stores, as well surplus donations from Coop .This means they are now able to provide a greater variety of products to local families as well as minimise food waste. Read more about what they offer here
This information will be updated regularly as we learn of new services and offers so it is worth returning here to see what is new. Please get in touch with us via our community contact here, if you have a service/offer to add.
