Cornwall holiday clubs receive three-year extension under national funding boost
Time2Move programme to continue supporting children aged 5–16 with activities and nutritious meals after government extends funding as part of a £600m investment
The Time2Move holiday programme in Cornwall has been extended for three years, the government confirmed, securing continued provision of activities and healthy food for children during school holidays.
The programme, run by Active Cornwall, supports children aged 5 to 16 and is fully funded for those eligible for benefits-related free school meals. The extension is part of a wider £600 million national investment in holiday provision.
Active Cornwall, which coordinates multiple local providers to deliver a range of sport, play and enrichment sessions, said the scheme has received about £8 million in investment since 2021. The organisation estimates the Time2Move programme reaches more than 12,000 children and their families each year.
The programme offers structured activities alongside nutritious meals during holiday periods, aiming to reduce gaps in access to food and opportunities for physical activity that can widen during school breaks. It is fully funded by the Department for Education for children who qualify for benefits-related free school meals, the government said.
Tim Marrion, partnership manager at Active Cornwall, said the programme addresses several linked challenges faced by lower-income families during school holidays. "We know that school holidays can bring particular challenges for families on lower incomes and children can face triple inequalities of social isolation, poor diet and low levels of physical activity over the holiday periods," he said. "Through our Time2Move programme we make a real difference for over 12,000 children and their families each year, so this funding extension is very welcome news."
Nationally, the additional funding aims to expand access to holiday activities and food schemes that operate across England. Local delivery partners typically include councils, sports organisations and community groups that design programmes to meet the needs of their areas.
The extension is intended to provide continuity of support for families during school breaks and to allow local organisers to plan longer-term provision. Active Cornwall said it will continue to work with partners to deliver clubs across the county and to promote participation among eligible children and families.