Cllr Joe Hearnshaw, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People with Mac Heath, Director of Children’s Services at Milton Keynes City Council outside Central Library, one of the venues for activities during this year’s Summer of Play
Milton Keynes City Council is funding thousands of activities for children, young people, and their families this summer, giving away more than 25,000 FREE tickets for activity sessions.
Exclusively for local families with children in receipt of benefit-related free school meals, the city council’s summer activity programme, known as Summer of Play, is designed to be a welcome boost to families. Hundreds of different free activities from football and gymnastics to rock climbing and animal encounters are on offer.
Taking place between 29 July and 22 August, each session includes free food and at least four hours of activities. Events will run across 62 locations in Milton Keynes, with a wide range of sports, crafts, cookery, music and other activities for children of all ages.
All sessions welcome children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and 1,620 tickets have been set aside for SEND specific activities, an increase of more than 500 since last year.
Eligible families can book tickets via the online booking system at www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/HAF.
“We’re pleased to build on the success of last year with this diverse programme of free activities backed up with healthy nutritious meals. We know that the school holidays are difficult time for parents and the cost of clubs and days out can be a barrier to many.
By expanding our dedicated provision for children and young people with additional needs, these events are even more inclusive and supportive.”
This year, Milton Keynes City Council worked with 42 local clubs, charities, schools and organisations to provide activities alongside its own Children and Family Centres and Music Hub.
Answers to frequently asked questions be found at www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/HAF alongside the full programme of activities. For any questions not answered online, please email HAF@milton-keynes.gov.uk.