Fun and magical games at Skelmersdale's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) club
Magic-themed party games, face painting and dancing were enjoyed by children at one of Lancashire's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Clubs.
The popular club for children and young people at The Skelmersdale Family Hub and Zone opened its doors again this week.
On the menu during the four hour club on Monday were dancing, parachute games, a chance to meet the West Lancs Family Hub’s own ‘Hugh Bear Mascot,’ party games, craft activities and a warm meal.
Sarah Farmer, of Skelmersdale, brought her six-year-old daughter, Lucy. She said:
“I think it’s lovely. Lucy has got energy for miles, so if she can move around and play with other children, it's fabulous.
“Skelmersdale is a lovely community - it's nice that they put so much on and they get people together like this. I can't believe they've done all this. She’s got people to run around with, and that's the universal language of children, isn’t it?”
Also enjoying the activities were Laura Bellamy, a nurse, and her daughters, seven-year-old Jasmine and Nancy, aged five.
Laura said:
“I've just walked across - it's nice to be able to come here. I'm grateful for this, and there's a lot going on - the children really enjoy it.”
Joanna Fields attended with her grandchildren, seven-year-old Carmen Rose, and Florence, aged six months old. She said:
“It’s lovely – it brings the community together and the children are so happy. Florence loves people and she loves watching her sister running around and playing with people.”
Jodi Rowlands, mum of baby Toby, aged seven and a half months and Tyler, three, said:
“Tyler does enjoy it as it gets him out. It socializes the children. It's not a big group, but it's nice for him."
Meanwhile, mum Leanne Trotman came with daughters Aleina-Rae, seven, and Araya Rose, nine, and son Jaelen, six. She said:
“This is the first time I've been. I'm looking forward to seeing what else they can do. It's just getting out and meeting other children and meeting other families.
“It's good for me as well as I get to meet other mums. I'm from Salford originally, so it's lovely to meet people.”
Gemma Maddison, lead neighbourhood group worker for the Children and Family Wellbeing Service in West Lancashire, said:
“The Holiday Activities and Food events in West Lancs are for any school aged children up to the age of 11 who are eligible for free school meals. They can access a code which they can use to book on to the events and the ones that we run offer a nice healthy meal and some healthy lifestyle activities.
“This time around, we widened the event to include younger children, and there were lots of dance challenges, party games and then craft activities for the final hour .
“It benefits the children and the parents, and it’s completely free, it encourages social interaction so the children can make new friends and the parents get the opportunity to meet new people as well, and it’s really nice afternoon out - we really enjoy it.”
County Councillor Cosima Towneley, cabinet member for Children and Families, said:
“This was a lovely event, one of many held in Family Hubs around the County. I welcome the fact we are providing a wider range of opportunities, fun activities and support for eligible families to support them into 2025.
"Parents and carers of school aged children who are eligible for a funded place receive a voucher before the school holidays which they can click to activate and access the booking platform. There they will find a list of all the clubs and activities in their district. Registration and booking is simple.
"If you are a parent or carer, and are not sure if you are eligible for a place on the HAF programme, ask at your child's school, your local Family Hub or a Children and Family Wellbeing service Neighbourhood Centre.”
For more information, visit: Holiday activities and food programme (HAF) - Lancashire County Council.
Notes to editors
West Lancashire Sport Partnership and SHARES, a lead partner in lead partner in the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) program in West Lancashire, work with local providers to run the HAF programmes for children and offer a variety of different activities, from football to multi sports, SEND provision and many more.
School children are entitled to a HAF place if they are entitled to benefits related Free School Meals, regardless of whether parents take up the offer of Free School Meals. However, some children may also be eligible if they have SEND, an Early Help Plan, if they are a Young Carer or if their families are being supported by Children's Social Care.
Parents or carers of children eligible for a funded place get an e-voucher by text or email in advance of clubs, from hello@holidays. For more information, visit: Holiday activities and food programme (HAF) - Lancashire County Council