Over 600 children aged between 8-14 years took part in Dorcan Leisure Centre’s free ‘Holiday, Activity and Food’ scheme (HAF) this summer, making it the most successful year ever.
The initiative is government funded and provides free activities for children who receive free school meals or whose families are in receipt of benefits. The scheme guarantees at least four hours of activity per day for at least four days. In addition, children receive a nutritious lunch and learn about health eating.
Activities this summer included swimming, a dry inflatable assault-course, football, badminton, basketball, tennis and rounders. While for the first time an ‘introduction to gym’ session for older children was let by a fitness instructor.
The scheme also catered for children with Special Educational Needs (SEND) including ADHD, ASD and anxiety.
Ashley Giles, General Manager at Dorcan Leisure Centre said: “This summer’s HAF scheme has been our biggest and best to date. It was wonderful to see so many young people come through the doors, make new friends, try new sports and activities for the first time and enjoy a healthy and nutritious lunch every day.
“To see so many happy smiling faces and feel like we have made a real difference to the lives of local young people, is hugely rewarding.”
Parent Samantha Worley said: “My son Kaleb attended for a week over the summer and everyday he came back saying he had a great time.
“The fact the children were offererd swimming lessons was absolutely amazing, because as a parent of three children I can’t afford to send them all to swimming lessons, yet swimming is a ‘must have’ life skill.”
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