Feeding Britain, the charity set up by Birkenhead MP Frank Field, is running a major programme of summer food and fun for thousands of children across the country.

It follows Mr Field's successful campaign for the Department for Education to set up a £2m fund to boost children’s access to healthy meals and enriching activities during school holidays.

Feeding Britain is using a share of this fund to provide this service to children in Birkenhead, Barnsley, Bradford, Bristol, Cheshire, Coventry, Knowsley, Leicester, and South Shields.

The campaign was built upon the finding that three million children are at risk of going hungry during school holidays.

The summer break is particularly hard, as low-income families can struggle to cover the additional food costs over six weeks, particularly in the absence of free school meals.

One consequence of that struggle is a widening of inequalities in the classroom – with some disadvantaged children returning to school hungry, sluggish and unprepared to learn, falling several weeks further behind their more fortunate peers.

Over the next six weeks, more than 70 projects across the Feeding Britain network will make it a summer to remember for children and their families, with a host of activities ranging from art clubs and archaeological digs to zoo ranger visits and dancing.

Mr Field said: “This programme represents the single biggest national effort in decades specifically to improve children’s access to meals and activities during the holidays.

"Feeding Britain’s role to date, in gaining this programme, has been crucial.

"Likewise, Feeding Birkenhead has led the way over the past three years in demonstrating how to build up such programmes successfully.

"Now begins an even more significant task of finding out, and then developing into a universal service, the most effective ways of ensuring every child across Merseyside and the rest of the country can eat well and have fun during the holidays.”

FEEDING BIRKENHEAD TIMETABLE:

Wednesday 15th August

Free Breakfast Club

9.30am – 11am

Café at the St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Trip to Eureka! (£6 for adults, £4 for children)

9.30am departure from St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Free Breakfast

10am

The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB

George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008

Paper Plate Masks, Pool, Circus Skills and Breakfast (ages 6-14)

10am – 12.30pm

Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS

Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Prenton Community Shop, 29 Dickens Avenue, Prenton, CH43 0TQ

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Mayer Hall, The Village, Lower Bebington, CH63 7PL

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

St Andrew’s Church, Noctorum Avenue, Noctorum, CH43 9YU

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Courtney Park, 10-12 Courtney Road, Rock Ferry, CH42 1QS

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Overchurch Community Shop, 97 Royden Road, Overchurch, CH49 4LX

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Social supermarket followed by Fun and Food at Beaconsfield

10am – 4pm

Beaconsfield Community House, Beaconsfield Close, Rock Ferry, CH42 3YN

Ema Wilkes, ema@neocommunity.org.uk, 07447 913 888

Hot lunch, take-home dinner bags and activities

11am – 1.15pm

Bidston Rise Community Building, 29 Clover Drive, Birkenhead, CH41 7DZ

Stef Parsons, hopeforthehungry@outlook.com, 07377 376 232

Den Building, Pool, Circus Skills, Lunch and Snacks (ages 6-14)

2pm – 4.15pm (5pm – 7pm for ages 11 and over)

Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS

Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645

Free Cooked Meals

Afternoons

The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB

George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008

Family Fun Day

Carr Bridge Community Centre, Carr Bridge Road, Woodchurch, CH49 8EU

Moira McAdam, welcometobobsplace@hotmail.com, 07553 060 901

Thursday 16th August

Free Breakfast Club

9.30am – 11am

Café at the St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Chester Zoo Safari Rangers @ St James Library

10am

St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Free Breakfast

10am

The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB

George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008

Jester Hats, Pool, Circus Skills and Breakfast (ages 6-14)

10am – 12.30pm

Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS

Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Prenton Community Shop, 29 Dickens Avenue, Prenton, CH43 0TQ

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Mayer Hall, The Village, Lower Bebington, CH63 7PL

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

St Andrew’s Church, Noctorum Avenue, Noctorum, CH43 9YU

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Courtney Park, 10-12 Courtney Road, Rock Ferry, CH42 1QS

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Overchurch Community Shop, 97 Royden Road, Overchurch, CH49 4LX

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Neo Community Fest (for further information contact Ema Wilkes on ema@neocommunity.org.uk or 07447 913 888)

Hot lunch, take-home dinner bags and activities

11am – 1.15pm

Bidston Rise Community Building, 29 Clover Drive, Birkenhead, CH41 7DZ

Stef Parsons, hopeforthehungry@outlook.com, 07377 376 232

Board Games and Story Time with Lunch Packs for Children

Midday

Carr Bridge Community Centre, Carr Bridge Road, Woodchurch, CH49 8EU

Moira McAdam, welcometobobsplace@hotmail.com, 07553 060 901

Family Adventures with Food, with Debbie (£2 per session)

1pm – 3pm

St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Clown Masks, Pool, Circus Skills, Lunch and Snacks (ages 6-14)

2pm – 4.15pm

Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS

Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645

Free Cooked Meals

Afternoons

The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB

George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008

Friday 17th August

Free Breakfast Club

9.30am – 11am

Café at the St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Ring Toss, Pool, Football, and Tennis, with Breakfast, Lunch and Snacks (ages 6-14)

10am – 3pm

Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS

Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645

Free Breakfast

10am

The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB

George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008

Just for Kids, with Michelle and Alfie

11am – 1pm

St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Hot Lunch Club for the Whole Family

Midday – 1pm

St Bedes Hall, Claughton Village

Holly Warren, hollywarren614@gmail.com

Dance and Film Club with Lunch Packs for Children

Midday

Carr Bridge Community Centre, Carr Bridge Road, Woodchurch, CH49 8EU

Moira McAdam, welcometobobsplace@hotmail.com, 07553 060 901

Adventures on Bidston Hill (scavenger hunt and picnic, family activity)

2pm – 4pm

St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Reptile Club with Snacks

3pm – 4pm

Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS

Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645

Buffet Dinner

5.30pm – 7pm

Bidston Rise Community Building, 29 Clover Drive, Birkenhead, CH41 7DZ

Stef Parsons, hopeforthehungry@outlook.com, 07377 376 232

Monday 20th August

Free Breakfast Club

9.30am – 11am

Café at the St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Jolly Tots – exploring with paint and bubbles

9am – 11am

St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Free Breakfast

10am

The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB

George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008

Colouring Pictures, Pool, Football and Breakfast (ages 6-14)

10am – 12.30pm

Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS

Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Prenton Community Shop, 29 Dickens Avenue, Prenton, CH43 0TQ

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Mayer Hall, The Village, Lower Bebington, CH63 7PL

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

St Andrew’s Church, Noctorum Avenue, Noctorum, CH43 9YU

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Courtney Park, 10-12 Courtney Road, Rock Ferry, CH42 1QS

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Play scheme with lunch

10am – 2pm

Overchurch Community Shop, 97 Royden Road, Overchurch, CH49 4LX

Peter Johnstone, Wirral Play Council, wpc@wirralplaycouncil.org.uk, 0151 650 0030

Community Dinner (free for children) followed by social supermarket

11.30am – 2.30pm

Beaconsfield Community House, Beaconsfield Close, Rock Ferry, CH42 3YN

Ema Wilkes, ema@neocommunity.org.uk, 07447 913 888

Monday Club – making a summer mural

Midday – 1.30pm

St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL

Eve Barrett, eve.barrett@corganisers.org.uk, 0151 670 9974

Hot Lunch Club for the Whole Family

Midday – 1pm

St Bedes Hall, Claughton Village

Holly Warren, hollywarren614@gmail.com

Fire Pit & Marshmallows, Pool, Tennis, Lunch and Snacks (ages 6-14, sailing at West Kirby for ages 8 and over)

2pm – 4.15pm

Gautby Road Play and Community Centre, 69 Gautby Road, Bidston, CH41 7DS

Luke O’Dowd, luke@gautbyroad.co.uk, 0151 652 5645

Fun Club and Lunch Packs for Children

2.30pm – 4.30pm

Carr Bridge Community Centre, Carr Bridge Road, Woodchurch, CH49 8EU

Moira McAdam, welcometobobsplace@hotmail.com, 07553 060 901

Free Cooked Meals

Afternoons

The Little Centre Beechwood, Fifth Avenue, Beechwood, CH43 9LB

George Thomas, georgethomas@beechwoodtrust.org, 0151 677 8008