Wiltshire Council’s FUEL programme has formed a partnership with the British Olympic Foundation to deliver Olympic Sport taster sessions as part of the FUEL camps taking place during the Easter holidays.

Wiltshire Council is running ten FUEL camps across the county during the Easter school holidays for children eligible for benefit related free school meals.

The FUEL camps provide children with a nutritious lunch each day and the opportunity to take part in a range of practical, physical and hands on activities including robotics workshops, circus skills, sporting sessions, talent shows, and arts and crafts workshops. Now

The partnership with the British Olympic Foundation will now give children in four of the FUEL camps across the county the opportunity to take part in Olympic Sport taster sessions including judo and table tennis.

Jamie Piggins, Olympic Relations Manager at Team GB said, “The British Olympic Foundation, the charitable arm of Team GB, is delighted to be partnering with Wiltshire Council’s FUEL Programme. Through the British Olympic Foundation, participants in the FUEL Programme this Easter will have the chance to participate in Olympic Sport taster sessions as part of a pilot project, offering them the chance to benefit from the inspiration of Team GB and the Olympic Games.

“The Partnership between the British Olympic Foundation and Wiltshire Council will allow the Foundation to trial this new model of delivery, providing feedback and insight to inform future programmes.”

Cllr Ian Blair-pilling, Cabinet Member for Leisure said, “This is a very exciting opportunity for children and young people in Wiltshire from families eligible for benefit related free school meals to try out a range of Olympic Sports. The FUEL programme and our partnership with the British Olympic Foundation supports Wiltshire Council’s aim of tackling inequalities and empowering people to live full, healthy and enriched lives.

“There are still places available for the ten camps taking place across the county this Easter and for the two additional camps specifically for young people with special educational needs and/or a disability are also taking place at Springfield Community Campus in Corsham and at Five Rivers Health and Wellbeing Centre in Salisbury. I would encourage eligible families to visit our website and sign up.”

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills said; “I have been lucky enough to visit the FUEL camps a couple of times and what I see is very happy children having a fabulous time. The Fuel camps not only provide hot food, healthy eating advice and a range of activities, but also support the young people’s overall wellbeing. The addition of Olympic Sport taster sessions at four of the camps will enhance the experience for the children attending even further.”

FUEL Easter camps will take place over four days, from Monday 3 April until Thursday 6 April 2023, between 10am to 2pm.

The ten camps will take place in Amesbury, Calne, Chippenham, Devizes, Melksham, Royal Wootton Bassett, Salisbury, Trowbridge, Marlborough and Westbury.

Applications for the Easter FUEL camps are now open and will close on 22 March 2023. Places are limited and only families with children eligible for benefit related free school meals should apply.

Programme details and information on how to apply for a place will be promoted through all schools in Wiltshire and on FUEL programme – Wiltshire Council

For more information about the Holiday Activity and Food Programme in Wiltshire, families can email fuelprogramme@wiltshire.gov.uk