A YOGA teacher who is taking part in a Government-led initiative to help keep disadvantaged children active this summer is urging parents to enrol their kids on the free programme of events.
Tessa Clemson who owns and runs Tessa Clemson Yoga in Great Harwood is running her first ever children’s holiday club, with free places available for children of primary school age who attend a Hyndburn school and are eligible for benefit related free school meals.
As part of the Department for Education’s initiative, funding has been allocated to every local authority in the county to provide free activities and a free meal to those children most in need throughout the summer holidays.
And Hyndburn Borough Council and the Leisure Trust are hoping to get children participating in the scheme for a minimum of four hours, four days a week, for four weeks.
Miss Clemson said: “This scheme is an extension of the work Marcus Rashford did campaigning for free school meals, and considering what happened after the Euro 2020 final it would be great if parents could take advantage of this and use the opportunity to get their kids involved in some group activities over the holidays.
“There are lots more providers running similar clubs across the summer, for children of school age right up to 16-years-old. It’s a fantastic scheme and it would be fab to have as many children as possible benefitting.
“Tessa Clemson Yoga is providing two weeks of activities and one week or both can be booked, with a yummy lunch and lots of fun activities provided each day. We will learn about yoga, where it comes from and how to do the poses as well as the importance of being healthy.”
Community events manager at Hyndburn Leisure Trust, Aisha Brotherton said parents will receive a voucher from their schools if they are eligible for the scheme and would then need to contact the individual provider in order to book their child a space.
She said: “We are trying to do everything we can to get the right children involved in this initiative and want to encourage those from low income and disadvantaged backgrounds to join in.”
Funding for the scheme will also ensure activities are continued for a week at Christmas time.
Blackburn with Darwen Council are participating in the programme too with sessions available from 10am till 2pm in 18 locations across the borough, and lunch, snacks and refreshments are all provided. For more information visit getstuckin.org.uk/
Free school meal vouchers for every child on benefit-related school meals in East Lancashire will be available for the remaining two weeks of the school holidays, making sure the whole holiday period is covered.
Limited places are available at Tessa Clemson Yoga, but you can book online now at tessaclemsonyoga.co.uk or to find out more please email tessaclemsonyoga@gmail.com.
For further information visit hyndburnleisure.co.uk
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