Schools are out for summer! The summer holidays have officially begun and there are plenty of different things on offer across Mid Fife & Glenrothes to entertain the kids during the school break.
Fife Sports and Leisure Trust will be offering free swimming at Levenmouth Swimming Pool and will also be extending their ‘Quid-a-kid’ programme for racquet sports like badminton, tennis, and squash as well as football and swimming, to get active during the summer holidays. Glenrothes Strollers Football Club are also hosting a school holiday football camp at Overstenton Park for kids of all abilities or experience to allow local families access to low-cost activities and childcare through the summer. You can check out the scheduled events, outings, and activity programmes on offer through Fife Council’s recently launched EnjoySummer programme to see what’s available in your local area.
I know, however, that the school holidays can put financial strain on families. Throughout the holidays, Café Inc. Lunch Clubs will be open for young people from Monday to Friday. There are several venues across Levenmouth and Glenrothes that are providing free lunches and snacks at a local community centre or school near you. There is no need to register in advance, but children younger than 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
On this note, the Scottish Government recognises the importance of healthy, nutritious meal provisions for our young people, and to alleviate pressure on low-income households during the summer holidays, we are continuing to prioritise funding to cover lunches for children whose parents are in receipt of certain benefits. Through Fife Council, families can access free school meals and/or school clothing grants based on benefit entitlement, with a payment of £12.00 per week per child to help with food costs over the summer. As the cost-of-living crisis continues to harm families and Scotland’s children, I would urge families to visit the Fife Council webpage to check their eligibility for extra support throughout the summer break.
I’m looking forward to a busy Summer of constituency engagements out and about as Parliament now begins our summer recess – say hello if you see me on my travels and as ever, please don’t hesitate to get in touch should you require my assistance as your local MSP.