During the school holidays of 2023 we delivered free workshops and activities for children in Worthing as part of HAF.
HAF is the Holiday Activities and Food Scheme. For the last few years, we have taken part in HAF under West Sussex County Council. The scheme supports children aged 7 – 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals. During the workshops and activities, children receive free and healthy food.
We’re already looking forward to our programme of activities for the Easter, Summer and Winter holidays in 2024, but we wanted to reflect on our work in 2023.
Worthing HAF
Since 2021 WTM has been providing free activities and food for children in Worthing through HAF. We utilise our various cultural spaces to develop interesting and unique activities that appeal to a wide range of children. One of our aims is to ensure these activities are accessible to children with special educational needs and disabilities.
We play games and deliver creative craft workshops in the Museum, watch films at the Connaught Cinema, and see wonderful children’s theatre at the Pavilion. The children also enjoy nutritious and seasonal meals to refuel between activities!
“Thank you for your efforts and putting on such fab, unique holiday activities that some children won’t have otherwise done or had access to. Invaluable.”
What is HAF?
The school holidays can be a challenging time for many families. HAF was developed by the Department for Education to give extra support to children aged 7-11 who receive benefits-related free school meals. Parents can sign their children up to the scheme and children can choose what HAF activities to attend.
The overall aim of HAF is to help children eat healthily, be active, and take part in enriching activities over the holidays. It supports their development, their socialising skills and their wellbeing in general.
We all hear about children being hungry but when you see it first-hand how much these children are enjoying and needing this hot meal you really remember why you are doing it. One child asked genuinely if they could take a meal home for their Mum… this brought a tear to my eye.
WTM HAF Activities in 2023
In 2023 we ran HAF programmes through the Easter, Summer and Winter holidays. During these holidays, children took part in different main activities each day, seeing films and theatre shows, as well as smaller activities throughout. They had nutritious lunches and also participated in physical or craft workshops.
At Easter, the children enjoyed a screening of Mummies at the cinema, and a production of Tales from Acorn Wood, based on the stories by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler. This was followed by a lunch from Proto Restaurant Group and a dance workshop at the Museum.
In the Summer, the children made beards, moustaches and wild hairstyles from recycled materials, before enjoying Spymonkey’s summer show Hairy. The children also enjoyed physical theatre workshops in the Museum, learning new stage skills and being active. WTM also joined the Sid Youth HAF Summer event in Homefield Park, running an origami and craft stall.
Then, in the winter holidays, the children made festive crafts at the Museum in the mornings. After lunch, they were taken to either the Connaught Cinema to enjoy the smash hit film Wonka, or delight in the festive fun of Sleeping Beauty: The Pantomime.
Other activities during WTM HAF
Show and Tell about what they made in craft time.
Museum tours and treasure hunts.
Extra curricular activities, such as word searches relating to the theme of the day.
Healthy Eating Group discussing healthy and unhealthy eating.
Walking in between venues.
Having a prep talk for the children about the movies, shows and the panto – so they were aware of what to expect.
Looking Forward
We can’t wait to deliver more great HAF experiences in 2024 to support our community and inspire local children. Watch this space to find out more about our plans this year!
More information about West Sussex County Council’s HAF scheme can be found here. To participate in HAF, children must be signed up for the scheme and have a HAF ID number. WTM’s free spaces are limited, and booking is subject to availability.
WTM would like to thank West Sussex County Council for their generous funding that enabled us to deliver these sessions, and sessions in 2024.