Summer Holiday Activities with Lunch

Islington Council’s Lunch Bunch programme gives young people the chance to enjoy a wide range of free activities along with a healthy lunch.

If you are an Islington resident and attending school from Reception to Year 11 (or 4 years old and will start school after the summer) and are in one of the following groups, you can participate for free:

• receive benefits-related free school meals (FSM)
• has an education Health Care Plan (EHCP)
• has a social or family support worker, or can be referred by a professional

What’s on and how to book?

• The Summer programme will open on: Tuesday 20 June, at 6pm.
• There are over 100 activities happening all over Islington for you to choose from, all listed on our Central Booking System.
• Each eligible young person can select up to 16 free individual activities.

Already registered on our Central Booking System?

If you have registered your child, please log into your account, and check that your child’s details are correct, in particular: Full Name (no nicknames), Date of Birth, Address and Postcode. If they are correct, you’re ready to book, when the programme opens. Go to Search and Book Activities below.

Not yet registered on our Central Booking System?

It’s easy to do, just follow the three steps below:

1. Create an account on Time to Spare and confirm your email address using the link sent to your email (if you already have a Google account, you don't need to confirm your email).
2. Log in and register your child/ren by completing the form
3. We will then check your child’s eligibility and let you know via email notification if your child will receive free places. Eligibility checks are undertaken, twice per day Monday-Friday between 9am-5pm.

Search and Book Activities

Once your child/ren are registered, you can search and book up to 16 activities per child. Use the link below to go direct to the programme.

Programme Calendar (timetospare.com)

SEND

Islington offers an inclusive programme and there are places for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Providers may have limited places due their venue, facilities and/or staffing ratios. Therefore, if your child has a SEND, it is important that you share the details about your child’s needs with the activity provider so they can confirm your child’s place and make reasonable adjustments.

Referring Professionals

If you wish to refer a child, you can either support the family/carer to register the child on our central booking system or you can register and book activities on their behalf. Please note, if your details are in the central booking system, you will be the key contact for the child and for activity providers. Once a child is registered, please email the HAF Team to inform them of your referral at: HAF@islington.gov.uk

Not Eligible

If your child/ren are not eligible for free places, there are still many activities that are open to all or may require a small payment. These include:

• some Lunch Bunch activities that offer both free and paid-for places

• free activities at Islington’s Adventure Playgrounds

• free activities at Summerversity

• free activities at Islington’s youth clubs

To find out more go to:

https://www.islington.gov.uk/children-and-families/things-to-do

Need Help?

If you need help to get online, you can visit your local library who will be happy to assist. Should you require support to read content or find activities on our Central Booking System, please contact the Lunch Bunch Team, Monday-Friday, 9am-4pm.

Email: lunch.bunch@islington.gov.uk