Holiday Activities and Food annual report

Gateshead Council's Community Physical Activity Team is strongly represented on the HAF steering group and through delivery of their branch of the project they are able to liaise with and utilise the expertise of several local community sport organisations.

Additionally, they have a number of sports clubs who apply directly for funding. This allows the HAF programme to include high-quality, engaging sports activity with experienced, national governing body qualified coaches. Some activities also take place at venues that may otherwise feel inaccessible to the target group, such as Gateshead International Stadium, and it is rewarding to see local children so excited to be participating in the same arena that has hosted international stars. Additionally, the programme has offered multi-sports camps, some that have the option of daily swimming to further enrich the activities available.

The Gateshead HAF programme feels that such a breadth of activities offers inclusivity through choice but recognises that some children will not engage with a more formal physical activity setting and delivery format.

This is why the Community Physical Activity Team also partners with the Hat-Trick project who deliver activities on MUGAs and fields within the housing estates of priority areas and so removes barriers around transport and accessibility.

Their "turn-up and join in" model coupled with music and a range of activities to choose from proves a highly effective way of engaging young people. We engage with a range of low to medium level SEND children with ADHD, behavioural problems and autism.

Although not directly linked to physical activity, it is worth noting that the sports activities are an excellent opportunity for young coaches to gain experience, contributing towards developing their life skills and increasing their employability.