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Nottingham Forest Community Trust has once again brought fun and learning to children and young people across Nottingham through its delivery of the national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme during the October half-term.

The HAF initiative, funded by the Department for Education and administered locally by Nottingham City Council, provides free access to enriching activities and nutritious meals for children and young people who receive benefits-related free school meals.

The scheme was launched nationally in 2021 to help tackle holiday hunger and inactivity, ensuring that all children can enjoy healthy, engaging, and memorable school breaks.

Throughout the October half-term, 357 individual children took part in the sessions, with a total of 912 aggregate attendances recorded across four days of delivery.

Sessions were hosted in areas including Clifton, St Ann’s, Bestwood, The Meadows, and Lenton; communities where the programme continues to make a measurable difference to children’s health, confidence, and social wellbeing.

Each club offered a diverse and inclusive range of activities to suit all interests and abilities. Children took part in football, basketball, and multi-sports sessions that encouraged teamwork and physical fitness, alongside arts and crafts and clay-making workshops that helped develop creativity and fine motor skills.

A standout feature this half-term was the popular smoothie bike, which allowed participants to pedal a bicycle to manually power a blender, creating healthy fruit smoothies while learning about nutrition and the importance of eating well.

The programme also continues to play a vital role in addressing health inequalities locally. Local statistics suggest around 40 per cent of children in Nottingham city live in low-income households, and one in three leave primary school overweight or obese.

By combining sport, nutrition, and wellbeing education, Nottingham Forest Community Trust’s HAF delivery helps bridge these gaps and supports families during periods when the cost of childcare and food can place additional strain on household budgets.

Speaking about the success of the October programme, Tom Norton, Head of Programmes at Nottingham Forest Community Trust said: “Since 2021, our HAF holiday clubs have given children the chance to be active, eat healthily, and meet new friends in a safe and positive environment. They also provide opportunities to try new activities, learn new skills, and build confidence, all while having fun.

“We’re proud to deliver this important initiative for families across Nottingham and to see the positive impact it has on children’s wellbeing year after year.”

Over the past year, Nottingham Forest Community Trust’s HAF delivery has supported thousands of children citywide, reinforcing the charity’s mission to improve health, education, and wellbeing through the power of football. With every holiday period, the Trust continues to strengthen its role as a trusted community partner, ensuring that no child misses out on the chance to play, learn, and thrive.