Shropshire HAF entertains hundreds of children over Easter school holidays

The Easter 2023 programme of holiday activities and food, co-ordinated by Shropshire Council, welcomed hundreds of children and young people across 57 locations in the county.

Shropshire Council worked in partnership with local schools, voluntary and community organisations and childcare providers to run the Holiday activities and food (HAF) programme at 57 locations from across the county. Eligible children enjoyed a range of activities from sports to arts and outdoor exploring, as well as enjoying a healthy and nutritious meal.

Holiday Activities and Food – Easter 2023

One parent said:

“The sessions have been invaluable to me. As a single parent the sessions allow me to continue to work. It’s local, I can walk them round, it’s a familiar setting and they love their time there. It’s like a total weight is lifted knowing these sessions are available.”

The Shropshire HAF team says the programme was enormously successful and has already started planning the summer holidays programme.

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:-

“We would like to thank our excellent activity providers, who went above and beyond to plan and deliver interesting and engaging activities, as well as providing delicious nutritional meals for eligible children and young people in Shropshire.

“A big thank you to all families whose children and young people attended the sessions, we hope you had a great holiday and had lots of fun.

“We look forward to the school summer holidays, when our next set of HAF holiday clubs will be up and running, welcoming children and young people to sign up again for sessions ranging from forest schools to multi-sport activities.”

The Shropshire Council HAF team has created a highlights film from the Easter programme which can be viewed here.

Free places will be available on the summer programme for children and young people aged from 4 (reception class age) to 16, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Places will also be available for Ukrainian families, currently staying in Shropshire with host families.

For more information on the Shropshire HAF programme please visit www.shropshire.gov.uk/HAF

or email HAF.programme@shropshire.gov.uk