In 2021-22, the Government's HAF programme supported hundreds of thousands of children and their families nationwide. This programme has been funded since 2018 and provides support to children in receipt of free school meals through core, school holiday periods at Easter, Christmas and in the Summer.

Research shows that the school holidays can be pressure points for some families, with children accumulating 'experience gaps' in their holidays. Children and young people affected the most tend to come from low-income households, and they often experience one or more of the following:

• holiday hunger
• accessing fewer organised out-of-school activities
• 'unhealthy holidays' with poor nutrition and low levels of physical activity
• social isolation

The HAF programme is continually evolving in response to these issues and recent evidence shows that free holiday camps, clubs and activities can have a positive impact on children and young people. Holiday provision that offers one or more of the following, tend to have the best response from children/families:

• activities which are consistent, local, and accessible
• wrap-around activities which include a nutritious, hot meal
• fun, educational food preparation by children (and parents)
• better connection for families with voluntary/community organisations, based in areas where they live

Our HAF Role with Dorset Council's HAF Programme

Since April 2021, our shared vision with Dorset Council has been to create a pathway for Young Leaders in the Dorset Leadership Academy, into paid employment in the Council's HAF Programme.

Leading up to the summer holidays in 2022, young people aged 16+ years old have been signposted into the workforce for the HAF Programme. This is to help young people gain employment in one of the nine cornerstone communities across the county, to help younger children and young people to enjoy an active lifestyle, through participation in sport and physical activity. Bovington, Bridport, Dorchester, Gillingham, Portland, and Weymouth are included in those communities.

This project is building on last year's pilot, where three students were employed by one provider in the 'Summer in Dorset 2021' programme. One year later, two of those students are still employed by 'Artz+ and Action Van' which is a service provided by Dorset Council itself.

'Summer in Dorset' HAF Programme for 2022

Leading up to the summer holidays, all schools in the Leadership Academy Programme were contacted and Young Leaders aged 16+ were invited to express an interest in securing holiday employment. Out of a group of 15 students, 5 were invited to an interview, 4 were successful and 2 were supported into seasonal employment with two different activity providers, 'Globefit' and 'Pro Coaching', in August. Their progress was monitored, and because of their excellent performances, both students have been retained for future holiday work by each provider. Their experiences will be shared with Dorset Council and the Active Partnership Network in the autumn term.

Steps to evolve this pathway will emerge during 2022-23, as discussions continue with Dorset Council's HAF Steering Group, the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), HAF providers and schools/colleges in the cornerstone communities identified as most in need by the Council.