Bringing joy to kids: Coventry’s HAF programme
Curtest of Coventry HAF Facebook page
Coventry’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, funded by the Department for Education, is making a significant impact on the lives of children and young people across the city. Designed to provide enriching activities and nutritional support during school holidays, the programme aims to alleviate challenges faced by families during Christmas, Easter, and Summer breaks.
HAF is a national initiative that enables eligible children and young people to attend free activities and experiences during school holidays. Coventry’s version of the programme is delivered by a diverse range of organisations, ensuring that families across the city can access a variety of enriching opportunities.
Curtesy of Coventry City Council
Highlights from past HAF programmes in Coventry include creative workshops, sports activities, and one-off experiences such as trips and special events. These opportunities not only foster personal development but also create lasting memories for participants.
One specific programme is with support of Coventry Rugby. The local Rugby team provides their facilities and helps organise activities for children and young people to take part in. Hal Sparke, Coventry Rugby community manager had this to say about the programme, “With so much upheaval across the whole community over the past few months, having an initiative like this to look forward to will be vital for the health and well-being of some of the city’s disadvantaged youngsters, and because we’ve invested in a wider range of sporting equipment we can give them experiences across a number of sports not just rugby.”
Curtesy of Coventry Rugby
Coventry HAF places inclusivity at its core. Providers are required to ensure their activities cater to all eligible children, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Tailored activities for SEND children and resources like the SEND webpage provide additional support for families.
SEND webpage: https://send.eani.org.uk
To promote fairness, the programme uses a credit system: four credits for Christmas and Easter holidays, and 16 credits for Summer. While most activities require one credit, some clubs that provide both breakfast and lunch may require two. Coventry experiences, such as sports matches or trips, are limited to one per child per holiday to ensure equal access.
Curtesy of Coventry City Council
Councillor Kindy Sandhu, cabinet member for education and skills, has expressed her gratitude for the programme, “It’s always incredibly uplifting to see and hear how programmes like this can make such a positive difference in people’s lives. As there are many other young people who could benefit, I encourage Coventry families to check their eligibility for the Holiday Activity Fund. We’re excited to offer another fantastic range of activities during the upcoming Christmas holiday season.”
If you wish to take part in HAF then booking an activity is simple, thanks to a user-friendly online system. Families without internet access can call 08085 834 333 for assistance or visit local Family Hubs or libraries. For further inquiries, the HAF team can be reached via email at hafprogramme@coventry.gov.uk.