Children's services
Walsall’s HAF scheme gets underway for Christmas 2022
Published on
Walsall’s Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) is underway once more, providing free activities and food for eligible children aged between 5 and 16 years old.
During the Christmas break, thousands of Walsall children will learn how to engage with other children and enjoy a wide variety of activities such as arts and crafts, cooking and baking, hairdressing, swimming, bowling, multisport, theatre visits and much more.
Walsall’s Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) is underway once more, providing free activities and food for eligible children aged between 5 and 16 years old. Walsall Council works with a variety of organisations to develop this exciting and enriching programme of activities, and providers include schools, local voluntary and community groups, childcare providers and local businesses.
Councillor Stacie Elson, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services at Walsall Council, visited one of the sessions at Charlie Caterpillars Day Nursery in Bloxwich on Wednesday 21 December 2022 to see the programme in action. This day nursery is one of the busiest in the Borough and its HAF programme caters for children aged from 5 years up to 16 years.
“ As the new portfolio holder for Children’s Services, it was wonderful to get out and see the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme in action. This programme is open to children who have free school meals, are young carers or who receive support from Children’s Services, and it is part of a government-backed country-wide initiative.
A lot of effort and enthusiasm goes into making the HAF programme work each year, and it was brilliant to hear all the positive feedback from the children themselves and to see so many happy faces. All the activity providers play a key role in making the programme so successful and the staff are fantastic and do such a wonderful job taking care of the children and ensuring they enjoy their time on the programme. It was lovely to be able to say thank you in person and I look forward to working with our providers to continue to provide this excellent service. “
“ Our business is 22 years old and we’ve been participating in the HAF programme since it started two years ago. It’s really important as the programme gives youngsters the chance to further develop their social skills and enjoy a freshly cooked, healthy meal. We do all the cooking onsite and I know it’s appreciated by the children and their parents.
Since it started, we have built strong relationships with the children and their families. The HAF programme also has volunteering opportunities and at our day nursery we actively promote peer monitoring. Some of the older children who attended our very first HAF programme have come back to support and mentor the younger ones, and it’s great to see the positive impact this is having. “
Councillor Stacie Elson, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services at Walsall Council, pictured with Joanne Morgan, Owner and Managing Director at Charlie Caterpillars Day Nursery
Food being served at the HAF programme
From left to right: Jane Durand, Councillor Elson, Rajinder Hayre and Joanne Morgan
Malaika, one of the HAF participants
Blake, Oliver and Harry playing pool at the HAF programme
