Children in receipt of free school meals in Harrow are set to benefit from The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme as it returns for the summer.
This time, the programme is returning with even more activities, spaces and opportunities than ever before say organisers, Young Harrow Foundation.
Trying to fill your children’s time with fun activities for several weeks during the summer can be no small task, many families also face the added difficulty of not having access to the school’s free school meals provision during this period. Thankfully, this is precisely why is why the HAF programme is here, to help families in Harrow.
Does your child have special education needs or a disability? There is a SEND specific day being run for high needs children, and many other providers running SEND inclusive programmes.
There’s twenty Harrow organisations that are opening their doors to thousands of children and young people for free from 25th of July all the way through to the start of September. The organisations will be running a variety of activities including: multisports, drama field trips, drama workshops, cooking lessons, sports coaching, dance and so much more. Every programme offers a free nutritious meal each day.
There is something for every child this summer. “The staff were very accommodating and friendly, and the range of activities met our children’s different needs.” – Parent from SEND family, HAF Easter 2022
In addition to all of these free spaces, there are even more resources available for parents and families this summer! Each child and young person will be provided with a Nutritional Pack at their programme, giving them activities, recipes, and educational resources all about healthy living. Find this and more here: youngharrowfoundation.org/haf-programme
The food for this Summer’s HAF programme is being provided by London’s Community Kitchen. Targeting ‘Zero Waste, Zero Hunger’, they have taken on over a dozen trainees who were previously accessing universal credit or jobseeker’s allowance. These trainees are getting hands-on training and experience in the lead up to summer, so that during the holidays they can kick start their careers in catering making fresh nutritious meals for the young people involved in the HAF programme.
Funded by the Department for Education, the programme in Harrow is organised by Harrow Council and Young Harrow Foundation. This year, additional funding from the DVS Foundation has meant that the programme is no longer exclusive to children eligible for free school meals, with spaces open for even more children to get involved.
Paul Hewitt, Chief Executive Interim Head of Paid Services, Harrow Council said: “Partnering with local organisations, the Department for Education, Young Harrow Foundation, local sponsors and more, has transformed how we at Harrow Council are approaching tackling food poverty in our borough. The sheer range of activities on offer shows the exciting creativity of what we can achieve with this partnership.
“We are thrilled to have the HAF programme running for a second year in Harrow. With each holiday period, we are improving more and more and trying out new and exciting ways of working. This summer promises to be something truly special.”
Dan Burke, CEO of Young Harrow Foundation, said: “This Summer’s HAF programme is bigger than ever! With thousands of places open to local children and young people, this is a chance for them to try something new, meet new friends and have a summer to remember!
“We know this summer may be a difficult time for parents, especially with the current financial pressures. Thanks to the HAF programme, finding a holiday club for your children does not have to be one of those difficulties. There are 20 local organisations, all rallying together to give your children an amazing summer.”
To book a place for Summer, find out more about HAF Programme and access parent and carer’s support, visit: youngharrowfoundation.org/haf-programme.
