This summer, Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, David Skaith, visited York RLFC Foundation at Selby Leisure Centre to witness firsthand the incredible work being done for young people through FEAST. His visit underscored the importance of the programme and the vital role it plays in the community, especially during school holidays.
Mr. Skaith commented:
“FEAST is such an important programme which supports so many children, young people and their families over the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays. FEAST not only provides enriching and fun activities, it provides healthy food to children across the county.”
FEAST, which is funded by the Department for Education, aims to deliver enriching activities and healthy food to eligible children and young people, with a focus on those eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals. FEAST is particularly crucial during the school holidays, as many families face increased food and childcare costs, often coinciding with a decrease in income. This can lead to what is known as the ‘holiday experience gap,’ where children from low-income households are less likely to engage in organised out-of-school activities and more likely to experience poor nutrition and social isolation.
The activities at York RLFC are just one of over 21,000 sessions offered through FEAST this summer. Children and young people have been taking part in a wide range of sporting, creative and outdoor experiences across the county. For some activity providers, FEAST gives them the opportunity to meet new participants they wouldn’t ordinarily reach.
Mr Skaith shared:
“It was an absolute pleasure to meet Adam and his team from York RLFC. They ran such an exciting activity, which led by professional rugby leagues players from both the women’s Valkyrie and men’s Knights rugby league teams. Learning from these players will inspire future generations of children to participate in rugby league, with York RLFC having gained new players from their FEAST activities.”
The North Yorkshire Together team is grateful to the Mayor for his support, which is a significant endorsement for FEAST. His visit highlights the value of continued investment in the programme, so that community activity providers like York RLFC continue to thrive and provide vital support for those most disadvantaged within North Yorkshire.
