Local MP Alan Mak has welcomed £432,230 of Government funding for summer holiday clubs across the Havant Constituency, following visits to a number of holiday clubs in the area to see how a range of summer activities for children are being provided thanks to the government grant.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is funded by the Department for Education to provide enriching activities and healthy meals to children from reception to Year 11 during the Easter, summer and Christmas school holidays. Hampshire County Council delivers it through its Connect4 Communities programme on the ground.
This year the DfE has provided £3,483,230 of funding to HCC and the Isle of Wight Council to co-ordinate HAF programmes.
In the Havant area, £432,230 was allocated for summer holiday clubs this year and HAF has been working with 13 providers across 16 venues locally.
A core ambition of the HAF scheme is to promote a healthy lifestyle. This begins with good eating habits and each programme provider is required to supply a nutritious meal as part of the holiday clubs.
Alan went to a HAF club run at The Hayling College by Connect4HICCA, an outreach programme of Hayling Island Community Centre Association.
Lucie Pollicott was there with sons Archie, eight, and four-year-old Joey. As the boys made pizzas and added their favourite toppings, she said: "I can't afford to take the kids to Paultons Park or places like that, so this is brilliant. They even provide us with a lovely lunch.
''Both the boys are mad on football, so they love the sports activities. But we get to go on trips out too. Earlier this week we went to Marwell Zoo."
Bryony Morgan-Facer and son Oscar, eight, were also enjoying the pizza-making. Bryony said: "It's great for him to interact with other children and not be bored during the summer holidays. We write the dates on the calendar and Oscar really looks forward to coming here several times a week."
She added: "He has to be on the go all the time, so this is ideal as it keeps him occupied and tires him out."
Bryony and Oscar have also loved going on trips with the Connect4HICCA holiday club, including a Christmas show in Chichester last year.
Project co-ordinator Tania Jones said that many parents and children become familiar faces as they return regularly, year after year.
In one of the classrooms an arts and crafts session was in full swing. Jordan-Marie Hunter and her seven-year-old daughter Lilah-Anne Hughes were busy creating little birds out of plastic cups and coloured artificial feathers.
Jordan-Marie explained: "It's brilliant and really keeps the kids entertained. It also gives them the opportunity to socialise and form friendships."
Kelly Hyatt had brought along her daughter Nicola, five. She said: "We've been coming here since the clubs started. The staff are fantastic and the kids love it. It also helps us parents to socialise as I don't get out much."
Alan also spent some time at a HAF club for children aged 4-11 run by OSCA Childcare at Mengham Infant School in Hayling.
The boys and girls were enjoying a bounce boot fitness session in the school hall before sitting down for a pasta bake lunch complete with vegetables they had peeled and prepared. Then they were going to have a vote on which film to watch.
Manager Vicky Clarke said: "We describe ourselves as creating a home-from-home environment. As well as activities, there's also time for free play as we think that's very important for their development.
"Since joining the HAF scheme it's been great and this is the busiest summer we've ever had."
Kelly Lamont, mum of Kiera, 10, nine-year-old Max and Harley, four, said: "The OSCA team are amazing and all go above and beyond. They are a huge help and support during the holidays."
Matt Allison's sons Owen, seven, and five-year-old Ralph also go to the club. He added: "The boys absolutely love coming and never want to leave as they're having so much fun. They always come home happy, telling us about their day and all the fun things that they get up to."
Alan also went to a HAF club run at Emsworth Primary School by local company Activ8 Minds, where children aged 5-11 were having great fun with an archery game, firing plastic arrows at balls suspended on jets of air.
Business manager Claire Rutter explained the club was divided into three zones - a chill zone with arts and crafts, board games and movie time, an action zone with laser tag and archery and a sports zone offering football, cricket and dodgeball.
Claire said: "My two - Jaxon, aged seven, and nine-year-old Esmie - have been coming here ever since they were old enough.
"The kids form friendships here and we have tears at the of the summer when they all go off to their different schools. We get some lovely cards and messages from parents and children."
In October Active8 Minds will be starting another holiday club to cater specifically for Ukrainian children living in the area.
Alan Mak MP said, “Securing this Government funding for our area was vital to enable holiday clubs to take place on Hayling Island, in Emsworth and across the wider Havant Constituency.
"I was delighted to see local children so happy, engaged in learning and fun activities and getting a healthy meal too.
"I will continue to support the continuation of holiday club funding for our area because there’s nothing more important than supporting local children."
