Children's services
£1.8 million funding boost for holiday activity and food programme in Walsall
Published on
*Eligible families in Walsall will benefit from more activities during the school holidays as the council’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme has been extended.
Walsall Council has received an additional £1.8million from the Department for Education (DfE) to deliver another 12 months of the well-established programme.
Since launching in 2021, approximately seven thousand children and young people in Walsall have benefitted from the HAF programme, attending fun activities and receiving healthy and nutritious meals.
The council works closely with 75 providers in the borough to put on activities for two weeks over the Easter break, four weeks during the summer holidays and a week over Christmas holidays.
One of the providers is Willenhall CHART Centre. Speaking on behalf of the centre, Wayne Palmer said, “HAF is a great initiative that meets the needs of the wider community.
“We have been a provider for the last four years from when the pilot project was delivered and the children and young people which have participated on our programmes since have thoroughly enjoyed the enrichment, sport and healthy eating activities they have engaged with. It has been a pleasure being able to deliver such activities alongside nutritious, hot cooked meals which make such an impact and difference to their lives. We are really glad that funding has been extended.”
“ We’re delighted that our HAF programme will continue for another year.
The programme is heading into its fourth year of delivery and has a great reputation with our families. We know from the feedback we receive that it really does help to take pressure off parents and carers during the school holidays.
A big thank you to our team and to our providers who work exceptionally hard to make sure the HAF runs smoothly for all involved. “
The HAF will run again during the Easter holidays, and bookings will open on Tuesday 11 March.
Further information about the programme is available on the council’s website: HAF website. This includes information on how to register your child/children and how to become a HAF provider or volunteer.
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Notes to editor
- *The programme is aimed at children and young people ages 5 to 16 years, eligible for free school meals to offer healthy food and enriching activities during the school holidays.
