HAF Programme - 19th-22nd December 2022

It gives a great pleasure to announce that we will be launching the Government funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme from 19th-22nd December 2022, supported by Swindon Borough Council.

The programme is funded by the Department for Education to provide free holiday-enriching and physical activities with nutritious meals for children and young people (aged 5-12 years) receiving benefits-related free school meals.

Places will be available at Dorcan Recreation Complex and offer eligible children the opportunity to attend sessions four hours per day for four days over the Christmas holidays.

Children who take up a place will have the opportunity to:

• eat more healthily over the school holidays, with a meal provided at each session
• be more active, by being involved in physical activities and a range of engaging and enriching activities to develop resilience, character and wellbeing
• be safe and not socially isolated over the holiday period
• most importantly, have fun with friends

Eligibility

School aged children from any of the following categories are eligible to access the programme:

• Children in receipt of benefits related free school meals
• Children in need
• Child protection
• Young carers

The General Manager for Dorcan recreation Complex, Ashley Giles, had this to say: 

'We are thrilled to be able to provide Dorcan as a provider for the HAF programme, a fantastic community scheme supported by Swindon Borough Council and the department of Education'.

'We will be able to provide a safe, fun environment for eligible children over the four days, with lots of activities to do. These include everything from football, badminton, swimming and junior bowls to basic arts and crafts, as well as providing lots of healthy eating information. With lots of energy used up taking part in the activities, having a lovely, wholesome meal provided will make a fantastic day for all'.

We do have limited spaces on the programme, so advise children are booked on as quickly as possible to avoid disappointment. Spaces can be booked via the e-vouchers booking system.

For any questions regarding the HAF programme at Dorcan, please email dorcan@gll.org.

For questions related to booking, please email HAF@Swindon.gov.uk.