Action-packed summer in store for Coventry’s children

A Summer of Fun awaits thousands of the city’s most disadvantaged children who will be able to take their pick from a range of holiday camps.

Thirty-five local organisations will be offering more than 3000 free places and around 40,000 sessions to children aged 4-16, receiving benefits-related free school meals, as part of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF).

Providers include Sky Blues in the Community, Highly Sprung Performance Company, University of Warwick and Grapevine. 

Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: “It’s crucial that once the school term ends, we can continue to support our young people and families throughout the summer break.

“The HAF programme promises to deliver a truly memorable summer for some of our most disadvantaged young children who otherwise would miss out.”

The Council has been awarded £1.5m from the Department for Education to deliver the HAF locally with aims including:

• Healthy eating and greater knowledge of health and nutrition
• Being more active during the school holidays
• Taking part in engaging and enriching activities (with a focus on resilience, wellbeing and broader educational attainment)
• Being safe and not so socially isolated

 A postcard will be sent out to all eligible young people containing a unique booking code. Upon receiving this, you will then be able to book onto activities by visiting www.coventry.gov.uk/haf.