Thousands of Bucks families benefit from a range of support this summer
Families across the county have enjoyed a fun-filled summer thanks to the range of support offered by Buckinghamshire Council.
Using funding from the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund, coordinated by its in-house Helping Hand service, the council has provided 14,537 digital food vouchers to the families of children and young people who receive free school meals, as well as those receiving early years’ pupil premium, or 2-year-old funded free education places. The vouchers, which are valid in most major supermarkets, have helped to ensure that families can provide sufficient food at home during the summer holidays.
In addition to assistance with food costs, the council also coordinated an extensive programme of 15,000 free holiday club and activity places for eligible children and young people via the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. With a wide range of clubs and activities to suit all ages and interests, the HAF programme runs county-wide during the summer, Easter and Christmas holidays, catering for children and young people in Reception, up to Year 11 and includes specialist clubs for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. This summer, activities ranged from dance and football camps to martial arts, cookery, adventurous outdoor activities and crafts. At every session the children taking part were provided with a hot, nutritious meal.
This summer, the HAF programme funded distribution of sun boards and sunscreen to all HAF clubs for children and young people to use. These resource packs supported HAF providers to implement effective sun protection for all HAF participants, as well as enabling light-touch education on sun safety. Additionally, Buckinghamshire’s Roald Dahl Museum ran a series of fun outreach sessions at HAF clubs on three dates. The HAF programme also welcomed the inclusion of Bikeability sessions at a number of providers this summer, working alongside Tiny Bikers to deliver 15 sessions across nine locations, engaging with 170 children aged 4-7, building their confidence when using balance bikes.
Eligible children and young people were able to attend up to 16 HAF programme sessions in any of the 50 locations across the six-week summer holiday and feedback from those who attended was very positive.
One parent said: “The HAF programme has provided my son with some lovely days across the summer holidays. He has loved making so many new friends, as well as taking part in fun activities each day. It has helped me that he has received a lovely hot lunch every time he has attended, the current cost of living crisis is making it hard for families. Well done Buckinghamshire Council.”
Another commented: “My children loved their time at the HAF club, they had a ball. The programme made a big difference to me, I managed to do some extra shifts allowing me to earn some more money over the summer. Brill programme, my kids look forward to the holidays with the HAF programme.”
Anita Cranmer, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services said: “We are pleased that so many families were able to benefit from the range of support available to help them keep their children entertained this summer without breaking the bank. Six weeks can be a long time and many parents and carers can feel pressured to spend money they don’t have in ensuring their children enjoy the summer holidays. Our HAF programme grows year on year and the praise from families shows just how valued these sessions are.”
Anita continued: “Once again we’d like to say a big thank you to all the HAF providers who helped us to make this summer’s offering better than ever!”
Buckinghamshire Council is keen to help more eligible families attend HAF activities and would like to find out if transport is a barrier to families accessing HAF clubs.
Parents and carers of eligible children who have not attended a HAF activity before, as well as those who have, are being encouraged to complete a quick survey to give their views.
The council’s Helping Hand service provides support to anyone living in Buckinghamshire who is finding it difficult to cope with cost of living pressures. Arif Hussain, Cabinet Member for Communities said: “We know that lots of people are continuing to find it difficult to cope with the increased cost of living at the moment and so we want to ensure everyone knows that help is available. If you are struggling to buy food or pay for other household essentials, please get in touch with our team to find out what support is on offer.”
To find out more about the Helping Hand scheme, visit the council website – buckinghamshire.gov.uk/helpinghand
Find out more about the HAF programme at: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/haf