A community project aimed at keeping disadvantaged children and families active, fed and occupied during the school holidays has launched in Wisbech.

More than 15 children aged two to 15 and their families took part in free physical activities and had a healthy lunch when the first Fenland Fit and Fed session was held at The Oasis Centre during half term.

Now seven more sessions have been planned for the summer holidays, with the two-hour events including a physical activity and lunch and then a workshop with community organisations like the animal therapy group People and Animals, Groundworks and Fenland District Council’s recycling team.

Fenland Fit and Fed, which is part of a national StreetGames campaign, is organised locally by Fenland District Council with support from Everyone Health and food donations from Tesco.

It is funded by the One Stop Carriers for Causes grant.

The project aims to tackle inactivity, holiday hunger, social isolation and the loss of learning through the school holidays.

Heidi Lemmon, physical activity locality co-ordinator at Fenland District Council and lead co-ordinator of the Fenland Fit and Fed project, said: “For some families it can be difficult to afford to feed and entertain everyone throughout the holidays which are supposed to be a fun time of year.

“Fenland Fit and Fed gives children a chance to take part in physical activity, make friends and learn new skills, whilst also receiving a healthy meal.

“It also enables families to share some quality time together and gives them chance to learn what other activities and groups are in their local area.”

The project is follows the launch of the Active Families initiative, which has been awarded £325,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England.

Active Families is a project between Fenland District Council, Cambridgeshire County Council, Peterborough City Council, Cambridge City Council, Living Sports, Vivacity Leisure Trust and the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group to help low income families get active with their children.

Matt Parsonage, head of communities at the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group, who is a partner funder for the project, said: “Investing in communities to improve life chances for local people is at the heart of our work.”

For more information about Fenland Fit and Fed or Active Families call Heidi on 01354 622499 or email: hlemmon@fenland.gov.uk