Holiday Activities and Food annual report

Feedback from the children and families has been positive. It has highlighted the impact of the programme on both physical and mental health.

Here are just a few of the comments we've received.

Feedback from parents

Parents and carers reported that the benefits to their young people had been hugely positive. All thought that attendance had made their young person: happy, more confident, more independent, build friendships, and better prepared to return to school in the following term.

For their household, all said that to some degree the programme had saved them money, and all but one felt that the pilot had eased pressure on their family over the summer.

They all felt that the information that they had received prior to the pilot was useful. Given the opportunity, all would like for their young person to attend future delivery of the programme and they would recommend to other parents and carers of eligible young people.

The free text responses provided an opportunity for some to be gushing in their praise for the pilot, using terms such as 'amazing', 'incredibly helpful' and 'lifesaver'.

Regarding safeguarding, all parents/carers stated that they felt that their young person(s) were safe while attending activities.

Feedback from children

"The best part was travelling around and having something to look forward to each day."

"If I was not in the HAF Plus programme "I would just be sitting at home most of the time."

"Had fun, built new friendships, kept active, used my imagination, became more confident and becoming more independent."

Feedback from providers

"Using the links we've built with partner organisations we've been able to provide new single beds for a group of vulnerable families in Gateshead. One of the children said: I have never had my own bed before this is amazing."

"Children tell us how much they love the Brighten the Day events during school holidays."