HAF 5-18 years

What is HAF?

“The HAF programme provides healthy meals, physical and enriching activities, and free childcare places to children from low-income families,  benefiting their health, wellbeing and learning.” Department for Education

It’s all part of the Westmorland & Furness Council (W&F) Holiday Activity & Food Programme http://westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/holidays (From the Department of Education & W&F). It is for children who receive benefits-related free school meals (Reception to Year 11). The programme can be available to children not eligible for free school meals, who can pay to attend, but priority will be given to eligible children. Families may be eligible for tax free childcare or the childcare costs element of Universal Credit, through which families may be able to claim back up to 85% of their childcare costs. 

In addition there are free places for those young people with disabilities (SEND) & their parent/carer, those in the care system (including Young Carers) and any child who is considered vulnerable.

To book – Call Oaklea HQ 01539 735025 enquiries@oakleatrust.co.uk

Sessions take place at Appleby Hub and Kendal ‘Lads & Girls Club‘

#HAFWestmorlandandfurness #HAF2025

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#HAF2025 sessions – what are they?

Each day includes a meal (main & dessert), games, morning trips to Gooseholme for playtime and arts/crafts. All sessions 1000-1400 – see venues below.

South Lakes – BIG news – we will be running day trips too!

If you want an idea of how good they are – don’t take our word for it – have a listen to Jacob (on a trip to Brockhole!) –Update October 2023 – Jacob goes national! (scroll down!)

Our next S Lakes sessions (10 of them) will be over the Summer Holidays

Here’s new team member Darci on what’s in store – we caught her just 4 she did a few trick at the skate park!

Session 1 – 30^th July – Trip to Brockhole

Session 2 – 1st August – Lads & Girls Club – Explore in/around Kendal (Scavenger hunt / orienteering / play at local park)

Session 3 – 6th August – RSPCA Westmorland, Beezon Rd – Taskmaster themed day

Session 4 – 8th August – Castle Street Community Centre – Summer Sports themed day

Session 5 – 13th August – Right2Work Learning Centre, Appleby Rd – ‘Creative’ themed day (dance, movement, games, arts/crafts)

Session 6 – 15th August – Trip to Rydal Hall

Session 7 – 20th August – RSPCA Westmorland, Beezon Rd – Cinema visit

Session 8 – 22nd August – Trip to Walney Island (South Walney Nature reserve)

Session 9 – 27th August – RSPCA Westmorland, Beezon Rd – ‘Mad Scientist’ themed day!

Session 10 – 29th August – Waste into Wellbeing cook along session

Have a listen to lovely Layla on a visit to World of Beatrix Potter – think we unearthed a top storyteller to rival Beatrix!

If you can’t wait – more on our recent Easter trips – World of Beatrix Potter https://www.oakleatrust.co.uk/telling-tales-with-layla/ and Keswick https://www.oakleatrust.co.uk/stretching-out-on-an-oaklea-trip/

Make gifts for friends and family, play games (pass the parcel, outdoor scavenger hunts), bake festive goodies to take home, learn about the benefits of healthy eating, help to prepare your own two course meals and learn about healthy lifestyles.

It’s also about the food you say?

Yes – and during summer 2024 we paid a visit to Piper Hole Goat Farm in Ravenstonedale in the Yorkshire Dales National Park to discover all about field to fork. You can find out more here https://www.oakleatrust.co.uk/everyone-haf-to-say-cheese/

Here’s Goat Farmer and Cheesemaker Frank Hunter on why it’s important to know where our food comes from:

The Hub will be running #HAF programme again in 2025

To book go via Oaklea enquiries@oakleatrust.co.uk or for further info go direct to the Hub via HAF lead Jane E: jane.farkins@right2work.org.uk

Days of craft & wholesome cooking and outdoor play via the Appleby Hub team! (Note Parents can stay with children requiring 1:1 support) More on Appleby Hub here https://www.right2work.org.uk/appleby-hub/)

Now showing….

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Why not download our HAF recipes! – Just scan the QR code here!

Have a look at some of the things we have got up to in Kendal & Appleby -sticky fingers par for the course!

Here’s an example of what a HAF day can involve: https://www.oakleatrust.co.uk/heres-some-food-for-thought-why-not-work-in-care/

“Absolutely” Jacob – “How do you follow that!”

To big up #HAF2023 across England we were included in a national DfE celebration in October 2023. This was attended by Junior Ministers and various big wigs from the DfE. Guess who became the main attraction – our very own Jacob – thanks to the above video! He not only featured – he was the grand finale – where the Deputy Director at DfE, Emily Whitehead said “How do you follow that – it was amazing.” What can we say – Jacob – you are a LEGEND!

You can also see the whole DfE presentation here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACrvP8Sxg-g

More information on the wider HAF programme

You can find more ideas and suggestions from one of our HAF partners ‘Phunky Foods‘ (they specialise in ‘inspiring healthy futures’) – go to https://www.phunkyfoods.co.uk/