Summer holiday activity guides

Looking for ways to keep children and young people entertained during the school holidays? We have brought together complete holiday activity guides covering the east, west and central areas of North Yorkshire. The guides include a wide range of free and paid activities provided by local councils, libraries, community organisations and businesses. From sports sessions […]

Bringing FEAST closer to families in Eastfield

  Starting this January, FEAST has been working together with our partners to bring more fully funded holiday activities with healthy food directly into Eastfield, giving children and families more to do, close to home. Eastfield is a community where families often tell us they want more affordable, accessible activities during the school holidays. While […]

Summer food guide: where children can eat for free this summer

North Yorkshire Together and FEAST have created a helpful summer food guide for families looking for affordable places to eat during the school holidays. The guide brings together a range of supermarkets, cafés and restaurants offering free or £1 meals for children and young people. It is designed to help families enjoy time out together […]

From written off to role model: how FEAST helped Warren find his place

When Warren first came to Desapline Martial Arts through FEAST, it was during a difficult period in his life. He’d been expelled from school and was struggling with instability at home. “My behaviour was just all over the place,” he says. “Getting in trouble, starting fights… I was just misbehaving in general.” He signed up for Desapline […]

FEAST in Numbers

We’re pleased to share the FEAST Annual Report 2025, reflecting on the continued growth and impact of North Yorkshire’s Holiday Activities and Food programme. Funded by the Department for Education, commissioned by North Yorkshire Council and coordinated by North Yorkshire Together, FEAST has become a vital part of support for families during the school holidays. […]

2025 FEAST Provider of the Year

FEAST thrives because of the incredible providers who go above and beyond to create safe, active and inclusive spaces during the school holidays. We set up the FEAST Provider of the Year awards to recognise those providers going the extra mile to ensure the children and young people coming to their activities have an amazing experience.  We are thrilled to announce that the 2025 FEAST Provider of […]

FEAST giving a much-needed break to foster families  

When Natalie* talks about the school holidays, she’s upfront about the challenges her family faces. “It can be really hard work”, she shares.  Natalie lives in a village near Selby with her husband, her 16-year-old son Max* and her foster son Jake* (13). Jake has ADHD, while Max lives with Type 1 diabetes and attends regular hospital clinics, often miles away in Hull.  Her husband works in Leeds […]

Sebastian’s story: safe spaces, new skills and holiday fun with FEAST

We met Sebastian Wilkinson, 14, at Inspire Youth in Knaresborough, where he comes during the school holidays, along with his older sister Maria. Sebastian and Maria are autistic, and FEAST activities like those offered by Inspire Youth give them not only something new to try in a safe and welcoming space, but key skills for […]

Millions of pounds confirmed for North Yorkshire holiday activities and food 

  We are delighted to share some fantastic news: the Department for Education has announced that the Holiday Activities and Food programme, which funds FEAST here in North Yorkshire, has been extended for a further three years, running from April 2026 through to March 2029.  This is a huge boost for families across our county. Thousands of children and young […]

Free Family Cooking Classes in North Yorkshire

  Starting this summer, FEAST families can take part in North Yorkshire Council’s Family Cooking Classes with the Adult Learning team. The best bit? They’re free!  We caught up with some of the families taking part in the very first session, which was hosted by FEAST activity provider Inspire Youth in Knaresborough.   Lianne Bennett is […]

FEAST Support Helps Young Ukrainian Refugee Settle and Thrive

For seven-year-old Dasha, the school holidays are now something to look forward to – filled with fun, friendship and a growing sense of confidence. But just a few years ago, life looked very different.  Dasha and her mum Iryna arrived in North Yorkshire from Kharkiv, Ukraine, fleeing the Russian invasion that devastated their hometown, located […]

FEAST Support Helps Rural Family Stay Active and Connected

For Louise Golec’s three children, holidays are all about being outdoors, staying active, and doing what they love most: riding bikes, scrambling up hillsides and getting stuck into forest school activities. But since a tragic change in their family circumstances, accessing these opportunities has taken on a much deeper importance. The Golec family live on […]

Easter activities in North Yorkshire

The Easter holidays are here, and it’s the perfect time to enjoy fun-filled activities with your child across North Yorkshire! Whether they want to get creative with spring crafts, burn off energy with sports and outdoor adventures, or even learn to bake some delicious Easter treats, we’ve got plenty of ideas to keep the whole […]

FEAST Christmas activities in North Yorkshire

The festive season is here, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by enjoying all the exciting FEAST activities happening throughout North Yorkshire for your child! You can laugh through some of the engaging pantomime performances or if your child wants to learn to bake some Christmas treats, we’ve put together a guide filled […]

Giving North Yorkshire’s Young People Their Childhood Back

As families prepare for the summer holidays, bookings go live today for FEAST – a programme that offers free activities and meals to eligible children and young people across North Yorkshire. Many families struggle during the school holidays, particularly the longer six-week break in summer. For some, food and childcare costs increase and income decreases. […]

Your ultimate guide to FEAST Summer Activities

Sun, fun and summer are just around the corner! Are you looking for things to do in the summer holidays? We have plenty of exciting summer activities across North Yorkshire that will keep your children engaged over the summer break. Build your summer bucket list, starting with our quick guide of summer activity ideas for […]

Your ultimate guide to FEAST Easter activities

Spring has sprung in North Yorkshire! The days are getting longer, the weather is not as brisk and we are gearing up for the Easter holidays here at FEAST. We have plenty of exciting Easter activities across North Yorkshire that will keep your children engaged over the school break. From Easter art activities to springtime […]

Your ultimate guide to FEAST Christmas activities

Woman baking cookies with child for christmas activity

The festive season is upon us, and what better way to celebrate than by indulging in the heartwarming FEAST activities across North Yorkshire? From enchanting choirs to winter wonderland forests, we’ve curated a guide of Christmas activity ideas that will make your holiday break in North Yorkshire truly magical. This is just a sample of […]

Turning Lives Around: Anna and Madoc’s FEAST story

  Anna lives in Harrogate with her two teenage sons, Madoc and Mani. As a single mum, the summer holidays are always a challenge, but especially so for Anna, who has Lupus, and was also recently diagnosed with breast cancer. The FEAST sessions at Dopeamin have been vital for her family, and have helped transform […]

Summer holiday fun ‘lifeline’ for North Yorkshire families

As the cost-of-living crisis puts greater financial pressure on households, North Yorkshire’s summer holiday programme has never before provided a greater lifeline for families on free school meals. The FEAST programme, which takes place from Monday, 24 July, until Friday, 1 September, is being delivered together with North Yorkshire Together – a partnership between North […]

Supporting SEND children through FEAST

Vaida and her husband live in Thirsk with two daughters, aged 5 and 8. The eldest is autistic with dyspraxia and a language disorder – she’s currently under the ADHD and dyslexia pathway and will start at a SEND school in September. Her younger sister attends mainstream school with speech and language support, and is […]

Ukrainian Refugee inspires us with his determination to win the Step Challenge

Viacheslav (known as Slava to all his friends) is one special child. A refugee from Ukraine, his family moved to North Yorkshire to escape the war and seek refuge. His is a true story of perseverance and strength.  That’s why what Slava did next is even more inspiring.  This Easter, Slava attended FEAST activities at Nigel Carson […]