Nottingham tram services have announced that it is to provide free summer club travel for children who would otherwise miss out. Tramlink will be providing free travel for 360 children who are accessing the Government's Holiday activities and Food (HAF) programme.
The programme is taking place across Nottingham during the summer months with the aim of providing summer clubs for children who are eligible for free school meals. Nottingham City Council secured funding from the Government to provide the clubs.
The clubs will be delivered by Nottingham Forest Community Trust, community groups, charities and schools. Children will be given a free lunch alongside a programme of educational activities. Some of the activities will include a focus on healthy eating, fitness and mental health.
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Tramlink stepped in to provide the free service after club providers identified that some of the children may not be able to attend the events due to financial difficulties which affect travel. A list of the clubs is available online and families are asked to contact their club if they would like to apply for a pass.
Andrew Conroy from Tramlink said: “This is a great scheme which provides a safe, reliable and stimulating environment for some of our City’s most vulnerable children. We know that thousands of children will benefit from friendly faces, food and fun at these clubs, but we also know that some of the children who might need it most wouldn’t be able to afford to travel
“Working with the Council and the providers of the scheme, we have identified these children and will be providing an unlimited free travel pass for the whole of August," he added.
“We are proud to work with organisations in the City who are doing such a great job for the local children and are happy to help the community wherever we can.”
Nottingham City Councillor Cheryl Barnard, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Schools said: “It’s great that the City Council is providing free holiday activity clubs for pupils eligible for free school meals. However, transport is still a cost which could prevent children from attending. We would like to thank Tramlink for providing these free travel passes to Nottingham children.”
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