Tackling Holiday Hunger: An Evaluation

During the school summer holidays, children from low-income families are thought to be at risk from hunger, boredom and social isolation. moreover, it is considered that the time spent out of school during the summer holidays may contribute to the gap in educational attainment between children from different socio-economic backgrounds.

Organisations across the UK have responded to the challenges faced by disadvantaged children and young people during the summer holidays by developing and delivering holiday club provision. Clubs predominantly seek to provide children, young people and families with access to food and enriching activities.

Children in Northern Ireland along with their community partners have been delivering holiday provision since 2016, after an initial pilot project. This evaluation gives a snapshot of four holiday provision clubs during the summer of 2019 conducted by Northumbria University.

Agenda:

9.30 - Welcome – Chair Liam Hannaway

9.40 - Opening Remarks: Minister Peter Weir, MLA, Department of Education

9.50 - Overview of the Evaluation of Children in Northern Ireland’s Summer Holiday Provision during 2019 - Professor Greta Defeyter, Northumbria University

10.10 - Andrew McCreary - Oasis Youth & Community Partner

10.20 - Jago Pearson, Communications Director for Finnebrogue

10.25 - Pauline Leeson, CBE, Chief Executive Children in Northern Ireland

Please note the event will be hosted via the Zoom platform.