Welsh Government’s education minister Kirsty Williams AM visited a ‘Food and Fun’ session in Upper Rhymney Primary School on Monday, August 19.
The sessions, run by Caerphilly County Borough Council, are being held across seven primary schools over the summer holidays as part of a Welsh Government scheme.
Each school will host at least 12 four-hour sessions over the summer holidays, each catering for up to 40 children, as part of the School Holiday Enrichment Programme (SHEP).
Children can take part in a variety of activities during the sessions, such as arts and crafts, obstacle courses and sports.
Other schools taking part in the scheme are St James Primary, Pantside Primary, Graig y Rhacca Primary, Markham Primary, White Rose Primary and Trinity Fields School.
The sessions also aim to encourage children to eat healthily and make their own healthy snacks.
Ms Williams AM said: “Working in partnership with the Welsh Local Government Association (WLGA), our Food and Fun programme is improving our children’s health and wellbeing, providing them with fun learning opportunities, and helps some young people overcome social isolation during the school holidays.
“It’s great to see that more schools than ever across Wales will be running these schemes this year so that even more young people will benefit.”
Cllr Dave Poole, leader of the council, said: “Our sessions have proved extremely popular this summer and it just reinforces the positive impact we can make in our communities with strong partnership working.
“The sessions are coordinated by the Early Years Team who have received endless support from local food suppliers, community councils, council services and local charitable organisations, all of which are truly embracing the Team Caerphilly ethos of working together to create caring communities.”
WLGA spokesperson for education, Debbie Wilcox, said: “I’m delighted that local government working in partnership with Welsh Government are able to support families at what can often be a challenging time over the summer holidays.
“The Food and Fun programme is designed to bring positive outcomes for participating young people and their families by providing opportunities to socialise, learn and enjoy delicious nutritious meals.
“Its extraordinary growth in only three years clearly shows that these schemes are valued locally by communities and I’m excited to see how this year’s programme will provide the young people taking part with life-enhancing experiences and opportunities.”
Upper Rhymney Primary School headteacher Samantha King said: “SHEP has been a fantastic opportunity for the school and the community.
“The children, as well as having two balanced meals every day, have also had the opportunity to learn really important life skills around healthy eating and food nutrition, physical activity and exercise.”
Meanwhile, Van Community Council has funded additional sessions for Lansbury Park residents.