Holidays Are Fun annual report 2024 to 2025

Teesside, located in the North East of England, is a vibrant and historically rich region that offers a blend of industrial heritage, stunning landscapes, and cultural attractions. Teesside was once renowned for its manufacturing industries, with large steelworks dominating the landscape. Later, these steelworks were joined by chemical industries, many of which remain. In contrast to the heavy industry in Teesside the coastline offers stunning sandy beaches, rugged cliffs, and picturesque seaside towns, whilst inland there are beautiful hills, moors, forests and a regenerated riverside area for residents and visitors to explore.

Within Teesside sits the borough of Stockton-on-Tees. Once a historic market town, the Stockton-on-Tees borough has expanded over the years and is now a large area encompassing Billingham, Ingleby Barwick, Norton, Stockton, Thornaby, Yarm, and several rural villages.

The population of Stockton-on-Tees is approximately 197,000, made up of people from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds. Within Stockton-on-Tees there are approximately 31,000 children between reception and year 11 on roll in our schools. Of these children we know over 9,000 (29%) are eligible to claim a free school meal and are therefore entitled to access the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

In Stockton-on-Tees there are children who have never experienced the culture or beauty the region has to offer, and this is why the HAF programme has been vital to our residents and the development of our children. HAF has offered enriching, exciting and life changing opportunities to some of our deprived families in Stockton-on-Tees, many of whom would never have otherwise visited a beach, a museum, a cinema or been horse riding for example.

Deprivation

According to the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019, the Borough is the 73rd most deprived Local Authority in England (out of 317). There are 27 wards in Stockton-on-Tees, nine of which are in the 10% most deprived wards in the country.

Inequality

There are highly affluent areas alongside areas of deprivation within Stockton-on-Tees. Some parts of the Northern, Western and Southern areas of the Borough are amongst the least deprived in England. For example, there is a gap of 21 years in average life expectancy amongst men between the most and least deprived wards in Stockton-on-Tees.

Cost of living crisis

At present, the rising costs of food, fuel and other essentials are combining with the existing disadvantages and vulnerability in the Borough to put households under significant pressure. This leaves them at risk of hardship and poor wellbeing in the short-term and reduced opportunity in the long-term.

Children's Services involvement

Within Stockton-on-Tees we have high numbers of families and children who access additional support from Children's Services.

Children in our care

At 31 March 2025 there are 564 children in the care of the local authority. This is a rate of 127.9 per 10,000 children, against a regional rate of 114.0 per 10,000 children.

School challenges

Schools are facing several challenges post-Covid. This is evident in attendance data, closely followed by social and emotional wellbeing, which can result in challenging behaviour within both primary and secondary schools and the community.

Domestic violence

Statistics show that domestic abuse affects a quarter of all residents at some time in their lives, regardless of age, social class, race, disability, sexual orientation, or lifestyle. The visible consequences of this are obvious to see but the hidden consequences are often underestimated, such as isolation, loss of confidence, fear, and despair.

Diversity

Towns in Stockton-on-Tees and the wider North East have high levels of migrants and asylum seekers. Whilst the area welcomes families and migrants and the diversity of cultures it brings, the demands on local services is high and language and cultural barriers can at times be difficult.

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is funded by the Department for Education and delivered by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council in partnership with Catalyst. The Stockton-on-Tees HAF Team held a competition to rename the programme and selected "Holidays Are Fun" to remove some of the stigma some parents associated with holiday hunger. Children recognise that using the word HAF means holidays are fun.

HAF is offered to school aged children from reception to year 11 who are in receipt of benefit related free school meals. Recognising that families are struggling in the current cost of living crisis, we have expanded the HAF offer in Stockton-on-Tees to also include families in receipt of universal credit or in financial difficulty. In addition, we have offered vulnerable families open to Children's Services HAF places if referred by their support worker. This allows vulnerable children the opportunity to experience enriching activities in holiday periods, whilst also ensuring they are not hungry when they are not able to access a school meal.

The aims of the HAF programme are to encourage children and young people to:

• eat healthily over the school holidays
• be more active during the school holidays
• be safe and not be socially isolated
• take part in engaging and enriching activities which support the development of resilience, character, and wellbeing along with their wider educational attainment
• have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition
• be more engaged with school and services

HAF is delivered through the main school holidays and offers six weeks of provision with the equivalent of at least four hours a day, four days a week:

• Easter 2024 - one week, minimum of four days
• summer 2024 - at least four weeks, minimum of 16 days
• Christmas 2024 - one week, minimum of four days

During 2024 to 2025 Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council also engaged in a trial in the February 2025 half term holiday which was for one week for a minimum of four days.

In Stockton-on-Tees we have a well-established Holidays Activities and Food (HAF) Steering Group with representation from the Council's Children's Services, Finance, Public Health, Community Engagement, Communications and Marketing, Information Governance, and Catalyst, a charity that supports the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector in Stockton-on-Tees and is the delivery partner for the HAF programme. 

The group meet monthly to discuss a range of topics with standing items including:

• what's working well
• even better if
• booking system
• financial reporting
• marketing

The HAF steering group is made up of the following members:

Communications material during 2024 to 2025 included a school communications toolkit to utilise online and in emails, news releases, social media posts, adverts in a local "positive news" newspaper, targeted emails to parents who have previously booked on the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, direct emails to staff working with children and families, printed leaflets, posters and pull up banners displayed in community venues and adverts on digital screens in Stockton High Street and Tees Active leisure venues.

The programme has also been promoted on the Council's website, in our Keeping You in Touch weekly staff newsletter, The Loop, and in our regular stakeholder communications to town and parish councils. The HAF programme is also highlighted on our cost-of-living advice webpage and a regular feature in Stockton-on-Tees News.

It was also promoted in the weekly voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) bulletin so that local charities and community groups could promote to the families they support.

In Summer 2024 we worked with Roseberry Community Consortium who created a new promotional video to showcase the breadth of activities available across the Borough. 

Harbour works with families and individuals who are affected by abuse from a partner, former partner, or other family member. Families sometimes arrive at refuges with only the clothes they are wearing; frightened and uncertain they have done the right thing. They can stay with us whilst they take time to think and make changes to the way they want to live. At Harbour, the funding from HAF is so valuable as it has allowed us to provide lots of positive and new opportunities for our families and ultimately bring fun and enjoyment back into people's lives at a time when it is needed most. As an organisation we are so grateful to have the opportunity to receive this additional funding as it has made such a difference to so many families we have supported.

The theme we followed through enriching activities was friendship. This allowed us to explore healthy relationships, kindness, and the essential skills needed to navigate social interactions. For families and children who have experienced domestic abuse, understanding the dynamics of healthy relationships is crucial and we explored healthy boundaries, effective communication, empathy and the importance of kindness. These skills are fundamental tools required for social interaction and provided opportunities for genuine friendships to blossom and learning skills such as trust. This has contributed to a stronger sense of community within the refuge.

As well as our enriching creative activities, we have also promoted physical activity and skills. The simplest, most effective way of encouraging this is through increasing physical activity on organised walks to the local park and going on a nature trail. These walks have not only introduced families to their new community but have also naturally increased daily steps and overall exercise levels. We even found a huge field where we took footballs and cones and spent a few hours playing. We've also created an environment within refuge where sports are readily available and accessible to everyone. From mini sports games such as sticker tag filled with friendly competition to treasure hunts, we've provided a diverse range of activities to cater to different interests and abilities. The infectious energy of "Just Dance" has proven to be a particular favourite, getting everyone moving and laughing. Another favourite has been the exercise dice where we have created variations of exercise games and different exercise challenges. Through doing this, we have shown families how easy it can be to motivate and encourage children to move around and develop new skills.

At the beginning of the week our families were provided with a healthy grocery hamper which included the recipe and ingredients for two wholesome meals: a pasta dish and a classic chicken dinner. Understanding that dietary needs vary, families were provided with alternatives for families with allergies or those who couldn't eat chicken. The hampers were also packed with healthy snacks, a variety of breads and wraps, nutritious yoghurts, and a selection of fresh fruit. The response from families has been overwhelmingly positive. On Monday, upon receiving the hampers, parents expressed their gratitude and shared how helpful the grocery support would be in alleviating the financial strain often associated with school holidays. One mother shared that she had never cooked a roast lunch before but expressed her eagerness to try something new and provide her family with a homemade roast, something she previously felt was beyond her capabilities.

As well as the grocery, each day the families were provided with a main meal, dessert and healthy snacks. The families enjoyed the hands-on approach of cooking the meals allowing the families to make their own healthy choices as well as gaining the skills and confidence to do so. One of the favourite meals among the families has been homemade pizzas and jacket potatoes. The teens have even gotten in on the fun, with some pretending to be "Spud Man from Tik Tok" while preparing the jacket potatoes. This level of engagement and excitement around cooking has been a joy to watch and we feel the sessions have been a great way to educate families on the importance of a balanced diet and the role it plays in overall health and wellbeing. It has also allowed families to connect through everyone working together to prepare the meal and sitting together, the families have reported feeling closer than ever before. The sessions have become a cherished time for families to connect and create memories that will last a lifetime.

During 2024 to 2025 there were over 38 different organisations who delivered one or more club 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.

Activities

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) providers in Stockton-on-Tees offered a wide variety of enriching activities including sport, music, theatre, film making, cinema, dance, outdoor activities, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) activities, cookery and more. In addition, providers incorporated day trips to libraries, museums, local landmarks, attractions and beaches. Many children and families told us they would never have had the opportunity to access these activities or events without the HAF programme. HAF sessions varied in length, from 2 hours for teenagers and SEND children up to 8.5 hour sessions for a full day session.

Whilst all HAF providers were expected to incorporate a minimum of 60 minutes physical activity per session, within our offer there were a wide range of physical activities for children to choose from. Children were able to access martial arts, boxing, football, mixed sports, climbing, swimming, ice skating, water sports, dance, bushcraft, gymnastics and horse riding. Past booking figures show these physical activities are generally very popular with children and young people and our substantial sports offer meant that each child who attended completed over and above the minimum requirement of 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Physical activities were inclusive and could be adapted, and were adapted, in lots of venues. One of our mainstream dance schools for example, offered support to a child with significant SEND who uses a wheelchair. The dance school ensured he was able to access all activities and helped his sister to support him with the dance activities so that he fully experienced the session.

In addition to offering children a hot nutritious meal that met school food standards, providers were asked to deliver nutritional and healthy lifestyle education as part of their Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Providers did this in a variety of ways.  For some it involved educative sessions with paper-based activities. Others offered more interactive sessions, including food-based activities such as making fruit kebabs, homemade pizzas, taste testing, blind taste testing, growing herbs, cookery workshops or including children in cooking their own meals.

One of the providers delivering an older youth group recognised how interested young people were in cooking and at each session a handful of young people cooked with the food provider, taking it in turns to make the main course or dessert. This developed the idea of a slow cookery course where teenagers were gifted a slow cooker and attended several sessions to learn how to cook meals for their families for a budget of £5. Several other providers also encouraged children to help prepare meals each day.

One of our providers who works extensively to support families that require low level interventions offered family sessions that included healthy lifestyle education, taste testing, growing vegetables and herbs, food cost budgeting and cookery on a budget.

Additionally, many providers engaged with external agencies to deliver preventative education sessions including dental hygiene, vaping and smoking, positive friendship and basic first aid. Within Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council there is a Public Health Information Library, and all providers have access to resources and equipment to help deliver key educative messages and information in a fun informative way.

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) were able to access both our mainstream and specialist SEND Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) provision. Three specialist SEND providers offered spaces for children who were neurodiverse, had low level, moderate and profound special needs. In addition, we were able to offer mainstream providers one-to-one funding for children who wished to attend their setting but required one-to-one support as stated in an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). 

Although advertised on the centralised booking system, specialist SEND providers managed their own bookings to ensure they had all the information required to offer children and young people with SEND adequate support in their setting.

Following feedback from parents of children with SEND we have developed our SEND offer and added additional sessions for Easter and Summer 2025.

All providers who helped deliver Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) during 2024 to 2025 worked closely with the local authority to ensure signposting and referrals were available for families and their children where needed. Providers displayed information, distributed leaflets or flyers and some created useful folders of information about local services to have on site.

Referrals were made for early help and support, free beds, food supplies, Christmas hampers, supermarket vouchers, bus passes and specific items such as a family being helped to acquire bikes for children. Lots of our providers work centrally in their community and gather in donations such as clothing, toys and sports equipment which they can pass on to families in need. 

The Stockton-on-Tees HAF team is based within Education, Inclusion and Achievement as part of Children's Services, where they can work closely with members of School Support, Help and Support and Social Care. The team offers information and advice to staff working closely with families to find the best fit activities for vulnerable children.

Food donations

Stockton-on-Tees Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) providers were lucky to be supported generously by Warburtons during 2024 to 2025 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. Through the Stockton-on-Tees Food Power Network, our delivery partner was able to source donations from supermarkets. Regular supermarket collections usually destined for schools which were closed during the school holidays were redirected to HAF providers. Providers also accessed donations and support from other organisations including major supermarket chains and local food providers. Providers did note that it is becoming more difficult to source donations from supermarkets as many more organisations are now contacting community champions and requesting support due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Other donations

In Easter 2024 we recognised that some children may not have access to hygiene products, so we launch a campaign 'Hygiene for HAF'. The campaign invited staff from both internal at the Council and within Catalyst to donate hygiene items that would be suitable for bathing or showering. We had an overwhelming response and were able to make over 100 hygiene bags that went to families across the Borough.

Match funding

Providers reported that they received the following match funding from local organisations in 2024 to 2025:

• Easter 2024: £11,072
• summer 2024: £27,591
• Christmas 2024: £3,672

In January 2025, the Stockton-on-Tees Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) team organised our first celebration event to recognise and thank providers for their hard work and commitment to the HAF programme. The event was attended by HAF providers, Councillors, children and young people and officers from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Catalyst. Providers received awards, shared good practice, and heard from some of the children and young people who have regularly accessed the programme for some time, sharing their experiences and suggestions for future programmes.

The awards were presented by the Mayor of Stockton -on-Tees and included:

• inspirational leader award
• HAF innovator award
• HAF newcomer award
• HAF long service award

Providers funded to deliver the HAF programme in 2024 to 2025 in Stockton-on Tees:

• ARC Stockton
• BCT Aspire
• Billingham Boxing Academy
• Budo For Change
• Daisy Chain
• Emily Wratten Dance
• Eastern Ravens Trust
• Family Action
• Family Hubs
• Five Lamps
• Football Fun Factory
• Groundwork NE and Cumbria
• Harbour Support Services
• Hardwick In Partnership
• Iron Guidance
• High Clarence Primary School
• Jamie Poole Sports
• Stockton Globe Theatre
• Tilery Primary School
• Outdoor Ambition
• ReGenerate - Hope for Autism CIC
• Roseberry Community Consortium
• Purple Door Studio
• School's Out Sport's In
• Gamers at Hart
• Simon Carson Sports School
• Sporting Chance
• Stainsby Gymnastics
• Stainsby Stud Riding School
• Tees Active
• Rosedene Nurseries
• Mill Lane Primary
• Deluxe Duo
• Kalma Life
• Bizi Art Studio
• STEAM Ahead
• Layfield Primary School & Live It and Get Active
• Lisa McGee Education Ltd

The Holidays are Fun (HAF) programme in Stockton-on-Tees successfully achieved the following levels of attendance in 2024 to 2025:

Voice of the child

"I loved every day of this week! I loved our movie, and I hope that this all continues. Josh and the team were amazing. Thanks everyone!"

Feedback from social worker

"T's family do not always engage well with support services due to the level of chaos in their lives. We have been supporting the family for some time as there is a lot going on at home but have been worried about T recently. He has recently been placed on a Child Protection plan, so I am working as closely as possible with the family to evoke some positive change."

"I really appreciate the support T has been offered on all of the different HAF programmes over the summer holidays. They have offered him a safe space and a hot meal, where he has enjoyed engaging with other young people. The staff at one workshop really gave him the attention he required and I'm sure he will be keen to attend again."

"Will there be programmes over the October half term? If so, I can support the family making bookings to ensure T can attend activities he enjoys."

Stockton-on-Tees were granted £902,890 to deliver Holidays are Fun in 2024 to 2025. This included Easter 2024, Summer 2024, Christmas 2024 and a half term trial in February 2025. The breakdown of the actual spend of the funding is:

• administrative expenditure: £80,464
  • Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council - Admin function: £26,946
  • Catalyst Administration Function: £53,518
• capital expenditure: nil
• programme expenditure: £803,326
• other expenditure: £19,100
• total expenditure (for 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025): £902,890

The key challenges delivering the programme in 2024 to 2025 are:

• places booked but children not brought
• teenage offer not attracting young people
• higher provider costs due to venue, staffing and food costs increasing
• decrease in Department for Education funding for second year, but eligible children increased
• increased number of requests for children who are not eligible under the benefit related free school meals criteria
• increased number of requests for children with SEND who are not eligible under the benefit related free school meals criteria
• booking system replacement
• Christmas delivery due to available delivery days
• late announcement of HAF funding which meant that planning for 2025 to 2026 with providers was difficult
• standardised marketing materials and toolkits not being utilised by all providers

We have received a number of comments back from families who have participated in Holiday are Fun. 

Family A said:

The girls attended SOSI in Billingham. S and E were a little nervous as they had never been before, however the staff identified this straight away and supported. E is known to be very shy and can get tearful; the staff knew exactly how to support her confidence and create an environment where she felt safe and secure. By the time I collected the girls, they both had big smiles on their faces and have spoken so positively about the experience, they can't wait to go back! Staff provided a handover and took the time to build relationships with parents/carers which is important to us when choosing a provision. We will be recommending SOSI to our friends and family.

Family B said:

E attended Gymnastics; this was her first HAF attendance. E is generally a very quiet, shy child with speech delay. E enjoyed her time at HAF and said, "that was amazing!" after the session. E has asked her carers to attend lessons and has now been placed on the waitlist. Carers enjoyed seeing E's confidence grow.

Family C said:

It's been a huge help financially - knowing the kids are well fed and having fun learning new things is such a relief.

Family D said:

HAF has been a lifeline this holiday, my child loves coming here and it's clear the staff have all the time in the world for these young people.

Family E said:

F had an amazing time, he absolutely loved the whole day and keeps telling me about all the things he did. He loved being outdoors all day.

We have received a number of comments back from children who have participated in Holiday are Fun. 

Child A said:

I learned how to make healthy meals that I will make at home.

Child B said:

I learned some new skills and made friends. I learned about healthy living, and I definitely want to keep this up.

Child C said:

There are lots of other teenagers here it's nice to have others my age.

Child D said:

I love attending HAF, it's exciting, every day is different, and I love meeting new people.

Child E said:

It was so good I loved it. It wasn't like being at school!