A Coventry Holiday Activities and Food Club has been awarded the title of ‘best HAF provision’ in the country.
Larks and Owls Club based at Holy Family School, were presented with the award by Club Central, for not only the variety of activities they provided for the children during the holidays. Judges said the club had ‘clearly gone above and beyond what was expected of them’ in helping families most in need.
The team at Larks and Owls were praised in particular for setting up a second-hand clothes rail, their engaging use of food to encourage healthy eating at home and for supporting a family in temporary accommodation with laundry and cleaning.
Sarah, co-ordinator of the Larks and Owls Club, said:
“We are thrilled to win this award! We have been part of the HAF programme from the start in 2021, offering children access to activities, a hot meal and supporting families through the holidays.
“Delivering these clubs has given us the experience and the understanding of how best to deliver an inclusive environment and a supportive network for parents. By offering our HAF club this year we have gone beyond our expectations on how to help the struggling families, meet the Special Educational Needs of some of the children and the planning of an interesting, healthy, and fun programme. “
Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu, said:
“Congratulations to Larks and Owls Club for winning the award and the amazing work they do in providing support to some of our most vulnerable children and families as part of the HAF programme.
“It’s great to see national recognition for the dedication of the team and the variety of activities provided during the club, including cookery sessions where children would take home a meal they had prepared to their families and inclusive craft and sport sessions.
There are still many families in the city that qualify for HAF but aren’t registered, so I’d encourage families to check our website to see if they are eligible.”
For further information about the HAF programme including whether families qualify for support, please visit coventry.gov.uk/haf