A GROUNDBREAKING scheme which helps to feed families during half-term is to return.

A month after being hailed as “the Marcus Rashford of museums”, Firstsite is again inviting children in north Essex to enjoy its hunger-busting Holiday Fun programme.

From Monday, October 25, children and their families in Colchester and Harwich can take part in a range of fun-filled activities, for free.

Each day will be jam-packed with opportunities to be creative, get active and tuck into a lunch afterwards.

The canteen menu will change every day, but previous delicious offerings have included chicken or bean burritos and vegetable pasta bakes.

Firstsite director Sally Shaw said: “Since we launched the Holiday Fun programme in 2017, it has become a popular resource for families in north Essex, keeping families happy, healthy and creative during the school break.

“The fact we can provide this resource for free, is especially important at a time when people are really feeling the pinch.

“Since we first introduced Holiday Fun four years ago, we have served more than 11,000 meals, with more than 6,000 during the pandemic alone.

“Holiday Fun has completely transformed Firstsite and prompted the Radio 4 presenter John Wilson to describe us as ‘the Marcus Rashford of museums’ when we won the Museum of the Year Award.

“He recognised Firstsite is so much more than just a gallery.”

If your child qualifies for free school meals during term time, or you are a family that needs some support during school holidays, you should book your day soon.

All the activities - indoors and outside - will follow the latest Covid safety regulations and be carefully managed by Firstsite’s team.

In Colchester, they take place at Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, High Street.

Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre, in Main Road, Dovercourt, will host the corresponding Holiday Fun week.

Call Firstsite on 01206 713 700 or visit www.firstsite.uk to book.