We’re really sorry to not be able to run for the Summer holidays and hope this does not cause too much disappointment.

We have included some info in this email we hope you may find helpful or of interest.

Recipes

·         Goodie Box Recipes: All the previous recipes are uploaded online here.  Watch out for some new recipes during the holidays!

·         Recycle Devon Recipe Book: Have a look at this fantastic book for tips and recipes to help you reduce food waste

·         Cooking on a Bootstrap: Recipes and tips for thrifty chefs from Jack Monroe at www.cookingonabootstrap.com

·         Change4Life Cook Together: Sign up at cooktogether.change4life.co.uk to be sent 2 tasty, healthy recipes each week for 4 weeks, with easy to follow instructions and shopping lists.

·         Full Time Meals: Pocket friendly, easy recipes for tasty, filling, hearty home cooked grub. Go to the website or follow them on social media for a new recipe each week @FullTimeMeals

Healthy Start – Free fruit, veg, milk and vitamins

Did you know you could be eligible for free milk, fruit, vegetables and vitamins?  It is open to eligible pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, and parents of children aged under 4.  To see if you qualify, visit www.healthystart.nhs.uk or text our Public Health Nurse CHAT Health line on 07520 631721.

Applying is easy: You can download the application form online or call the Healthy Start helpline on 0345 607 6823 to order one in the post.

Activities and support

·         Disney 10 Minute Shake Up games

Visit the Change4Life website for new play-along games inspired by some of the characters in some of the most popular kids films, including Frozen, Toy Story and Marvel.

Some great ideas to get the family moving and having fun.

·         Eat Seasonably

Visit the website to learn what food is in season and get tips on what is good to grow now, including step by step growing guides. You don’t need to have a big garden – just a windowsill or patio can yield a great crop which the family can enjoy together!

·         Veg Power Activity sheets

Downloadable Eat Them to Defeat Them activities here, including colouring and paper based fun activities.

·         Natural Resources Health and Wellbeing

Activities and games to promote physical activity, connection with nature and mental wellbeing. Available here.

·         Craft and Activities for 0-4 year olds

Ideas from Small Steps Big Changes to do with your toddler are here, including crafts, play and cooking.

·         BBC Tiny Happy People

This website has simple activities and play ideas for babies and young children, along with information about their early development.

Food Support Available in Devon

·         Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme

Devon County Council’s HAF programme will provide funding for local enriching activities which include healthy food during the Summer holidays for children aged 5-16 (and 4 year olds if attending reception class) receiving benefits related free school meals.  Find out more here, including how to book a space. If you do not receive free school meals but are in financial difficulty and would benefit from this support over Summer, do get in touch with your local provider anyway, to see if they are able to help.

·         Free School Meals – vouchers during holidays

Families who receive free school meals will be sent supermarket vouchers to buy food over the Summer holidays. See more information here.

You may be eligible for free school meals if your family receives one of the qualifying benefits.  If you think you might be eligible, you can apply through the Devon Citizens Portal. This is the quickest and easiest way to apply and will result in you getting an instant decision.

·         Food Banks and Community Larders

Go to www.pinpointdevon.co.uk to search for Foodbanks or Community Larders in your area.

·         Community Insights Team

Email insights@devoncf.com for general signposting to services in your area, including those offering emergency food support, fuel top-ups, debt advice and more.

·         COVID-19 Hardship Grants

District councils in Devon are providing small emergency grants to people in financial hardship as a result of COVID-19.

Visit this website for links to your local council grant information and other financial support available.

Best wishes,

The Goodie Box Team

• https://www.youthsporttrust.org/resources/coronavirus-support/active-recovery-hub

Help children and young people to boost their health and wellbeing by promoting being active

• https://www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up/shake-ups

The NHS have teamed up with Disney, Pixar and Marvel to bring you brand new play-along games inspired by your favourite characters.

• https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50-things-to-do

Want your kids to run free in the fresh air and try new exciting activities?

• https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/summer-activities-for-adventurous-families

Great ideas for families – eg. Build the best ever den with these tips and tricks – all you need are some sturdy sticks, leaves that you’ve found on wild adventures and some mud to secure it all together!

• https://peumbrella.com/register/the-pe-umbrella-member/

Although designed for teachers and some elements are for a paid subscription, there are lots of ideas for games that parents might want to try out this summer. 

• www.boingkids.co.uk/playupclub

Free to access.  The Boing PlayUp Club is a six week video series full of new games and loads of different ways to play. It also includes tips, advice and ideas for children and parents/guardians on how to power up their play this summer.

• learninghub.riverbearyoga.co.uk/p/family-yoga

A brilliant free resource for the summer break – screen free activity to keep families happy, healthy and connected. 

• https://www.activedevon.org/event/wonford-cycle-festival/
• https://www.activedevon.org/event/exeter-arena-cycle-festival/
• https://www.activedevon.org/event/cowick-barton-cycle-festival/
• https://www.activedevon.org/event/cranbrook-cycle-festival/

Active Devon is excited to announce our cycling festivals across Exeter during the summer break.  Have a go opportunities, free tea and coffee and goodie bags for participants (limited availability)

• https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school/primary-schools

The walk to school campaign materials have some excellent ideas for engaging children in activities en-route to school that will work equally well on other walks eg. to the shops – have fun and enjoy that walk!  An example from the booklet: FUN FACT: The flashing orange lights on a zebra crossing are called Belisha beacons. They are named after a British politician, Leslie Hore-Belisha. How many Belisha beacons can you spot while out for a walk today?

• https://www.activedevon.org/get-active/

Lots of ideas for getting active in Devon.

• Exeter City Community Trust (Exeter’s Health and Wellbeing charity): Holiday Clubs Summer Sport Spectacular – CITY Community Trust (exetercct.org)

• F.I.S.H – fun in school holidays: http://www.funinschoolholidays.co.uk/ 

• Haven Banks: School Holiday Activities – Haven Banks (haven-banks.co.uk)

• Laser camp – summer camps for 3 to 15 yr olds: School Summer Camps in Exeter & Tiverton (lasercamp.co.uk)

• Variety of activities for all ages at Exeter University Campus: Holiday activities for children | Sport | University of Exeter

• A touch of the wild: School holiday club for children in Exeter and Devon. Explore the great outdoors at our woodland camp at Grammarcombe Woods, Ashcombe Estate, Near Exeter (atouchofthewild.co.uk)