The council is asking for help from providers this winter to help provide free activities and nutritional meals for eligible children aged five to 16. 

Oldham’s next Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme takes place between Saturday, December 17 and Monday, January 2 with the aim of easing the pressure faced by households during the off-school period, including added childcare and food costs.

The programme is funded by the Department for Education and is open to those on benefits-related free school meals.

Those who aren’t eligible to attend for free can still participate, but places come at a "small cost".

Sessions are designed to provide children with the opportunity to take part in a variety of activities, meet new friends, taste new foods and learn more about healthy eating in a fun and interactive way which they can take home to their parents. 

Cllr Eddie Moores, cabinet member for children and young people at the council, said: “Every week we are seeing more and more residents being forced into poverty because of the effects the cost of living is having on their household budgets.

“That is why it is important our HAF programme continues to support as many eligible families as possible during this time, as people need our help now more than ever.

“Our local providers have already played a fantastic role in our HAF programme so far and they are vital to this effort.

“So, I encourage all local providers to come forward and to get involved with our programme as this work really makes a difference to local families.”

According to the council, more than 14,000 children have engaged with Oldham’s HAF programme since last summer.

The council has also worked with over 40 providers to put on a variety of sessions such as day trips to the Oldham Coliseum and Summit Up, a range of sports and athletics, arts and craft workshops and even cooking classes.

Now, it is seeking providers that can help to offer sessions lasting at least four hours.

All applicants are welcome to offer multiple days, subject to meeting due diligence requirements.

The council says it is willing to offer further support to any provider that registers an interest, including a "Meet the Funder" event from 6pm on Thursday, October 6 at Gallery Oldham’s Education Suite.

Providers can raise their expressions of interest by visiting Action Together’s website.

The deadline to apply is Friday, October 21.

More information on the programme, and activities offered, is available on the council’s website.

Funding for Oldham Council's HAF programme lasts until at least March 2025.