Following on from my January update, I am writing to confirm that we have taken the difficult decision not to run Extratime holiday schemes over February half term. This follows the government’s extension of the restrictions until early March.

This has been a particularly hard decision, because after running schemes throughout last year, albeit smaller ones, the high transmission rate of this more contagious new variant means we just cannot confidently manage the risk at safe level for February.

We have been particularly concerned about bringing children together over half term as this would be just before they return to their different schools and colleges which wouldn’t be responsible after such a long period of lockdown.

Instead, we’re putting together a fun alternative offer including lots of live workshops and online resources at [email protected], along with (individual) Family Play Sessions at Portslade Village Centre and Woodys Youth Centre.

This week we’ll share a booking link for the Family sessions so you can choose your toys, games and equipment along with the best time slot for your family. The full February Extratime & Friends Live Sessions and short booking form is on the website here.

As we move forward, I am optimistic that we will be able to re-open Extratime clubs in March and the holiday schemes at Easter. This is because our eligible Extratime colleagues have begun to receive their first COVID vaccines this week. We will still need to be careful of course, but this exciting development offers us a new level of confidence about a gradual return to normal in the coming weeks and months.

We’ll be in touch again next week with more information about the Half Term arrangements and in the meantime please let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you or your family.

Thanks you once again for your patience and understand through this very difficult time.

Best wishes and take care

Sam