Robinsons Pool school holiday delivery a community success

The first year of Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) delivery at Robinsons Pool and Fitness has been a fantastic success, providing children and young people across Bedford with a fun, active and inclusive programme throughout the summer holidays.

The programme offered a varied timetable of engaging activities designed to support physical activity, wellbeing, confidence, social interaction and the development of new skills. A key highlight was the delivery of structured swimming lessons, giving children the opportunity to improve their water confidence, swimming ability and understanding of pool safety in a safe and supportive environment. For many participants, the sessions provided an important opportunity to develop skills that can support lifelong enjoyment of swimming and help promote water safety.

Swimming was complemented by a range of enrichment activities, including yoga, healthy eating sessions, pool safety activities and other fun, educational experiences. This combination ensured that children were able to be active while also developing knowledge, confidence and positive healthy habits.

A particularly positive aspect of the programme was its strong commitment to inclusion and accessibility. The camps welcomed high numbers of children with additional needs, with staff working hard to create a supportive environment where every child could participate, enjoy themselves and feel included. Activities were delivered with consideration for individual needs, helping remove barriers and ensuring that children could experience the benefits of HAF provision alongside their peers.

The programme also provided valuable opportunities for children to build friendships, develop independence and enjoy positive experiences during the school holidays. The high levels of participation demonstrate the demand for accessible, high-quality holiday provision within Bedford.

Most importantly, parent feedback was extremely positive, highlighting the enjoyment and benefits children gained from attending. The success of the summer programme demonstrates the significant impact that Robinsons Pool and Fitness can have in bringing together physical activity, inclusion, learning and community support.

Overall, the first year of HAF delivery has been an outstanding achievement and provides a strong foundation for building an even bigger and more impactful programme in future years.