Stoke-on-Trent City Council has announced a £300,000 investment to expand holiday meals and activities for children and families in the city.

The council said an agreement with The Hubb Foundation would see a £300,000 investment to expand support for throughout this summer and beyond.

The funding would be invested through the charity - which delivers the city's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme - using government-backed Crisis Resilience Fund money to extend support for children and families facing financial hardship.

Councillor Sarah Hill, cabinet member for finance, anti-poverty, governance and corporate services, at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "School holidays should be a time for children to enjoy themselves, stay active and spend time with friends, but we know they can also bring additional financial pressure for many families.

"This investment means we can build on the excellent work already being delivered through The Hubb Foundation by providing additional meals and activities this summer while extending support to families who are not currently eligible for the Holiday Activities and Food programme.

"It's another example of how we're using government funding to help residents through the cost of living and ensure more children have access to healthy food, safe places to go and positive experiences during the school holidays."

The city council said an initial £50,000 will be invested immediately to enhance this summer's HAF programme and a further £50,000 will fund weekly community activities from mid-August for children and families who are not currently eligible for HAF support.

The remaining £200,000 will fund activities through to March 2027.

A spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council said: "The investment comes after the council recently agreed a new £4.56 million partnership with The Hubb Foundation to continue delivering the Department for Education-funded HAF programme until at least 2028."

Adam Yates, Chief Operating Officer at The Hubb Foundation, said: "The £50,000 of funding being injected into this summer's HAF programme as part of this investment will make a real difference to children and families across the city.

"Having recently been selected as Stoke-on-Trent's HAF provider we're building on the strong foundations of the past five years – continuing to make a real difference to children and helping improve the city's health, wealth and overall well-being.

"We work with around 250 brilliant local organisations to give young people the best holiday experiences, make memories and build confidence. By working together our aim is to raise the aspirations of the most disadvantaged children from age five right through to 16 and help them achieve their potential in life."

HAF funding is primarily available for children eligible for free school meals, and the council says this additional investment will extend support to more families across the city.

This year's summer HAF programme runs from Monday 20 July to Friday 28 August, offering eligible children and young people a wide range of free activities and healthy meals.

The £300,000 investment forms part of the council's wider £16.8 million Crisis Resilience Fund, which aims to support residents facing financial hardship.

Alongside expanded holiday activities, the programme will introduce a new Crisis Payment scheme from August, providing support with food, fuel, essential clothing, furniture and white goods.

To book community HAF sessions across the city, visit the website here.