Shropshire HAF projects showcased in Department for Education visit

The success of the Shropshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has been in the spotlight after officials from the Department for Education paid a visit.

Shropshire Council is working with local schools, voluntary and community organisations, and childcare providers to run an exciting holiday programme at 58 venues this summer.

Three Shrewsbury groups hosted the Birmingham-based team to showcase the success of the Shropshire scheme. They visited Inside Out in Belle Vue, Passmaster Coaching at Mount Pleasant Primary School, and The Lodge Youth Centre, Shropshire Youth Association.

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said: “The team for the Department for Education was keen to come and see the exciting programme Shropshire HAF is running this summer.

“More than 1,600 children and young people have had the opportunity to take part in our HAF projects and have experienced anything from new sports, the arts to Forest School, as well as enjoying a healthy, nutritious meal.

“Shropshire HAF’s programme is having a positive impact on so many young people and it is an excellent example of how we can work in partnership to make a difference to the health and wellbeing of our children and young people.”

Harsha Kainth-Gupta, from the Department for Education HAF local authority support team, said: “It was brilliant to get out and see the clubs in action as well as getting the opportunity to see the positive impact of the HAF funding.

“The provisions we saw have made a huge difference to the children, and that is thanks to all the hard work put in by Shropshire Council, as well as by the leaders, volunteers, and staff at each of the provisions.”

The summer programme continues until Friday 2 September 2022.