Sandwell Council is celebrating the success of its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.
The programme has supported thousands of children and families across the borough since 2022 and is reminding parents and carers that there are still activities available to book for the remainder of this week and next.
The Sandwell HAF Programme, funded by the Department for Education, has delivered over 115,000 activity sessions across Easter, Summer and Winter holidays since April 2022. The programme offers free, fun and enriching activities alongside healthy meals for children and young people eligible for benefits-related free school meals.
A newly published impact report highlights the transformational effect of the programme on children’s confidence, wellbeing, and social skills – as well as the vital support it provides to families during school holidays. The findings state that 99% of parents/carers said that their child enjoyed the activities, with 98.4% saying their child learnt something new and 99.5% saying that they would recommend the programme to other families.
The programme has also helped families access wider support services, build community connections, and reduce financial pressures during the cost-of-living crisis.
Councillor Jalal Uddin, Sandwell Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said:
“The Sandwell HAF programme has become a lifeline for many families in our borough. It’s not just about keeping children busy – it’s about giving them safe spaces to grow, learn, and thrive. The impact report shows how HAF has helped children build confidence, make friends, and enjoy nutritious meals, while giving parents peace of mind and access to vital support. We’re proud of what’s been achieved and committed to our child friendly principles; making sure every child in Sandwell has the opportunity to play, and enjoy their holidays with either this scheme, or our free Go Play programmes for 6-12 year olds (https://goplaysandwell.co.uk/events/) and Just Youth Service’s activities for young people https://www.justyouth.org.uk/ .”
“There are still places available for activities this summer, so I encourage families to visit our website(s) and book now.”
Families can find out more about HAF and book activities by visiting: https://holidayactivities.sandwell.gov.uk or simply searching for Sandwell Holiday Activities online.