Many youngsters in the borough will be able to take part in cut-price activities this summer thanks to a new council programme.

Children in Swale who receive free school meals will be able to enjoy subsidised outings - from swimming sessions to cinema trips - thanks to Kent County Council’s new Reconnect programme.

The borough will be awarded £12,500 from the scheme to pay for activities across Sheppey, Sittingbourne and Faversham.

Swale cllr Richard Palmer, cabinet member for communities, said: “Since the pandemic began, we have all struggled, but I do think that sometimes we forget about the impact on our children and young people.

“Most parents complain about their kids being on screens too much, but for large parts of the last 18 months, they – like the rest of us – simply haven’t been allowed out.

“It’s not just their education that has been impacted, but also their social development has been stifled by the pandemic.

“Kent County Council is running a range of activities to help children and young people reconnect with the things they used to do before the pandemic.

“They have kindly supported us with some funding for activities for those children and young people on free school meals so we can help make sure they get the opportunities which we hope will help them reconnect with their pre-Covid lives again.”

The subsidised activities were launched on Monday and will run until Sunday, September 5.

They include £3 entry to swim at Sheerness pool or the Swallows leisure centre in Sittingbourne, or £10 for a family ticket.

They include tickets for swimming at the Swallows centre in Sittingbourne and swimming in Sheerness for £3 per child, or a family ticket for £10.

The Light Cinema in Sittingbourne will be holding an activity club from 9am to 11.30am, Mondays to Thursdays, between August 9 and August 19.

Youngsters can watch a film with popcorn and a drink or take part in a bowling game or a craft morning. Tickets cost £1.99 or £7.96 for a family.

Sittingbourne and Kemsley Light Railway is offering £10 rides on Wednesdays and Sundays, while the Blue Town Heritage Centre on Sheppey is discounting its family annual passes to £10 and day visits to £2.50.

On July 30 and August 27, between 10am and 12.30pm, Medway and Swale Estuary Partnership, based on Minster beach, will hold free activity days including rock pooling, bird watching and clay art.

The Dolphin Barge Museum in Sittingbourne is running activities such as clay and pizza making (£3-£4) on select days.

Booking is essential for all activities apart from swimming. Go to tinyurl.com/SwaleReconnect. You will need a valid Reconnect Pass or free school meals letter.

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