Holidays Are Fun annual report 2023 to 2024

During 2023 to 2024 there were 34 providers involved in the delivery of Holidays are Fun (HAF) within Stockton-on-Tees. These providers included schools, family hubs, charities, childcare providers, and private companies.

The HAF providers worked hard providing engaging, enriching activities in safe, welcoming environments where children had fun and could make new friends.

There was a wide range of activities on offer for children and young people in Stockton-on-Tees, including:

• horse riding
• martial arts and boxing
• swimming
• arts and crafts
• dance
• football
• ice skating
• go climb
• bushcraft
• paddleboarding
• film making and podcasts
• music
• cinema club
• sports

Activities and food

All providers involved in the HAF programme were asked to offer enriching activities, a minimum of 60 minutes physical activity per session and a hot (where possible) nutritious meal that met the school food standards. In addition, providers were asked to deliver education around healthy lifestyle and food choices. Providers met these requirements, and some went over and above, delivering cookery sessions or food workshops or sending home simple recipe cards or meal ideas for children and young people to follow with parents. During the summer HAF provision, children also received a PotGang home growing kit to take home and grow their own vegetables.

Stockton-on-Tees were lucky to be supported generously by Warburtons during 2023 to 2024 which allowed providers to offer an extra meal or snack and carry out a food education activity with children such as making pizzas and sandwiches. Providers also accessed donations and support from other organisations including major supermarket chains and local food providers.

All providers who helped deliver HAF during 2023 to 2024 ensured signposting and referrals were made for families and their children and young people where applicable. Providers displayed information, had leaflets or flyers for distribution and some made folders of information about local services.

To ensure all providers met the requirements of the programme they were visited by both Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Catalyst during each holiday period, with quality assurance checks carried out to ensure all guidelines were being adhered to. If there were areas for improvement these were noted and fed back to providers.

With thanks to our providers for 2023 to 2024

We want to thank all of the following providers:  

• ARC Stockton
• BCT Aspire
• Billingham Boxing Academy
• Budo For Change
• Cornerhouse
• Daisy Chain
• Eastern Ravens Trust
• Family Action
• Family Hubs
• Five Lamps
• Football Fun Factory
• Groundwork NE and Cumbria
• Harbour Support Services
• Hardwick In Partnership
• Iron Guidance
• Lisa McGee Education Ltd
• Live It and Get Active
• Outdoor Ambition
• ReGenerate - Hope for Autism CIC
• Roseberry Community Consortium
• Purple Door Studio
• School's Out Sport's In
• School's Out Sport's In Shine
• Simon Carson Sports School
• Sporting Chance
• Stainsby Gymnastics
• Stainsby Stud Riding School
• Tees Active
• Rosedene Nurseries
• Mill Lane Primary
• Tilery Primary School
• High Clarence Primary School
• Bowesfield Primary School
• Layfield Primary School