Two complimentary festive celebrations will take place at the John Pounds Centre on Saturday 20 December, offering Portsmouth families activities, meals and seasonal entertainment as part of the HAF Fun Pompey initiative.
The Holiday Activities and Food programme has organised the events specifically for families with children who receive benefits-related free school meals, providing support throughout the Christmas holidays.
Portsmouth families meeting HAF eligibility criteria can attend either event at John Pounds Centre, 23 Queen Street, Portsmouth, PO1 3HN. Children must attend with their parent or guardian.
Creative Bites! Food, Family Fun & Activities runs from 12pm to 4pm, featuring rotating sessions including team challenges, cookery workshops and craft activities. BRAT BROS will serve hot lunch with chicken gyros, halloumi pittas, bratwurst rolls and falafel wraps. Vegetarian, vegan and halal options are provided. Families can take home their prepared meals.
HAF a Day of Festive Family Fun operates from 1pm to 4pm in a relaxed drop-in format. Activities include Lego construction, dodgeball, Nerf games, mini-Olympics and Christmas crafts. Unlimited access to Portsea Adventure Playground is included, alongside jacket potato lunches from Portsmouth’s Jacket Potato Ladies.
Local support organisations will attend both events with information stalls. Every attending family enters a prize draw for a Ninja Air Fryer or Nutribullet blenders, plus receives complimentary festive hampers courtesy of Waitrose Southsea.
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Cllr Nicholas Dorrington, Cabinet Member for Children, Families & Education, said: “The festive season presents challenges for many families and we’re providing essential support. These events deliver more than entertainment – they offer opportunities to share meals, develop skills and access local services.
“Portsmouth City Council ensures every child can flourish, with HAF Fun Pompey playing a crucial role.”
Attendance is free but advance booking is mandatory. Families need at least one HAF-eligible child to participate. Book at eequ.org/haffunpompey.
Check eligibility by visiting portsmouth.gov.uk and searching ‘free school meals’ to apply.
