Warwickshire’s summer Holiday Activities and Food Programme celebrates another successful summer
Thousands of children and young people across Warwickshire enjoyed a summer of activities, healthy food and opportunities to spend time with others through our Holiday Activities and Food programme.
The Holiday Activities and Food programme is part of a national scheme funded by the Department for Education. It supports eligible children and young people from reception to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals, offering free holiday activities alongside nutritious meals during the main school holidays.
From 20 July to 28 August, children and young people across Warwickshire took part in a wide range of activities designed to keep them active, engaged and connected throughout the summer.
The summer programme saw 32,733 funded HAF places booked, with 95 per cent of booked sessions attended. More than 30,000 healthy meals were also served, helping children and young people enjoy nutritious food alongside their activities.
Activities took place at 156 locations across Warwickshire, with a varied programme including multi-sport sessions, football, boxing, gym sessions, horse riding, performing arts and arts and crafts. Sessions were delivered by experienced local providers alongside council services including Youth Services and Libraries.
The programme also included a range of SEND-focused activities, providing additional opportunities for children with special educational needs and disabilities and their families.
A highlight of the summer was the continuation of SEND Family Experiences, giving eligible families opportunities to enjoy activities together in relaxed and supportive environments.
During the summer, 578 families took part in SEND Family Experiences, with more than 3,500 meals provided. Experiences included trips to Drayton Manor, Twycross Zoo, Go Ape and cinemas, family swimming sessions and visits to local attractions including Stratford Butterfly Farm.
Families rated the experiences highly, giving them an average score of 4.7 out of five.
One parent said: “I would like to say a huge thank you for being able to attend a HAF activity. Our boys had an amazing time! They all got on together, laughed and joked together.”
Another family said: “Thank you so much for this provision. We had a wonderful summer holiday and the children were able to have some fantastic days out that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to afford. Thank you!”
Warwickshire County Councillor Wayne Briggs, Portfolio Holder for Children and Families, Education and SEND, added: “It’s fantastic to see so many children and young people enjoying Warwickshire’s HAF programme over the summer holidays.
“The programme gives children the chance to have fun, stay active, try new experiences and enjoy healthy food, while also providing valuable support for families during the school holidays.
“I’d like to thank all our local providers, partners and council teams who helped make this summer’s programme possible and created so many opportunities for children and young people across Warwickshire.”
This is one of the many ways we are working to create more opportunities for young people.
Families can find out more about Warwickshire’s Holiday Activities and Food programme, including information about future holiday activities, at : https://searchout.warwickshire.gov.uk/holidays-activities-food-haf