Vicky Ford MP, the Minister for Children, praised the work of the Stoke-on-Trent charity the Hubb Foundation today during a visit to a local school.
The Minister was at Ball Green Primary to observe activity sessions for youngsters on what was the busiest day of the Easter holidays for the Hubb Foundation.
The Minister said: “I feel this has been the most amazing project that I’ve seen.
“I had heard quite a lot about the work that’s been going on in Stoke(-on-Trent) with holiday activities and food projects but to see it in action has just been fantastic.
“The kids having a really good time being engaged in activities which, as we know, helps to keep the connection with the school which means they come back into education better at the beginning of term.”
Today (April 7) 21 activity sessions took place across 17 schools – with almost 900 meals given out to children.
Stoke-on-Trent North MP Jonathan Gullis said: “The Hubb Foundation is a national leader and exemplar for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.
“Holiday activities are so important in ensuring children are kept in good physical condition and mentally sharp – helping to prevent the widening of the attainment gap and keeping kids engaged.
“For our city to have more than 140 sessions arranged for our young people over Easter is an incredible achievement – made possible with funding and support from the Department for Education (DfE) and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
“Having the visit to Ball Green today from the Minister is deserved recognition for Stoke-on-Trent.
“I can’t thank Carol and Adam Yates (Hubb Foundation Community Business Partner) enough for all they and the Hubb Foundation team do for young people in our city.”
Gareth Higgins MBE, Chair of the Hubb Foundation, said: “We are proud to be able to oversee so many activity sessions over Easter through our unrivalled network of partner schools.
“I am delighted that the Minister was able to visit and see first-hand the difference we are making to the lives of young people here in Stoke-on-Trent.”
Over the Easter holidays the Hubb Foundation team and its delivery partners will put on more than 140 activity sessions funded by the DfE, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Stoke-on-Trent Opportunity Area – providing 4,520 opportunities for children across the Potteries and 5,220 meals.
During the two-week period, the charity is also collecting and delivering thousands of chocolate eggs and Easter treats to families in Stoke-on-Trent as part of an appeal with the Port Vale Foundation, Synectics Solutions and Staffordshire Police.
The Hubb Foundation is a children’s charity founded by Carol Shanahan OBE, the Chair of Port Vale FC and Synectics Solutions, which provides holiday activities in safe environments and meals for youngsters across Stoke-on-Trent.
