Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme
In November 2020, the government announced that the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme would be expanded across the whole of England in 2021. Following on from this, the Department of Education has agreed a further three years of funding, starting 2022. The programme has provided healthy food and enriching activities to disadvantaged children since 2018.
Local authorities have been asked to ensure that the offer of free holiday club provision is available for all children eligible for and in receipt of benefits-related Free School Meals (FSMs) in their area. The programme will cover Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays in each of the three years. The programme will be available to children in every local authority in England.
School holidays can be particularly difficult for some families because of increased costs (such as food) and reduced incomes. For some children that can lead to a holiday experience gap, with children from disadvantaged families:
- less likely to access organised out-of-school activities
- more likely to experience ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of nutrition and physical health
- more likely to experience social isolation
Free holiday clubs are a response to this issue and evidence suggests that they can have a positive impact on children and young people and that they work best when they:
- provide consistent and easily accessible enrichment activities
- cover more than just breakfast or lunch
- involve children (and parents) in food preparation
What can I find as part of the HAF programme at The Allama Iqbal Centre?
Hot healthy meals every day, outside trips with picnics, Child care qualified staff/volunteers, Fully qualified teachers on site, First Aid Trained staff, Safeguarding trained staff, a fully equipped and hygiene rated kitchen (5 star), safe spaces, relaxation area, physical exercise, child led activities, enrichment activities and much more!
Aims of our HAF programme
The aim of the scheme is to support children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.
The children who take part will enjoy fun and enriching activities in a safe and sociable environment and have the opportunity to develop new skills or knowledge and try out new experiences. This could include physical activities such as football, table tennis or cricket; creative activities, for example, making playdough, junk modelling or tie dying t-shirts or other experiences like outside trips, (visiting a museum, trip to local farm, trip to Glo Golf), olympic day (tug of war, races, traditional sports day games) water play days, messy play or Just dance battles!
At least one hot meal per day will be included and the children will improve their knowledge and awareness of healthy eating.
The scheme aims to help families develop their understanding of nutrition and food budgeting.
Who is this programme for?
To see if your child is eligible, please fill out the attached form (PDF) and email to gconnect157@gmail.com
For more information about the Peterborough HAF scheme please visit this link.
