Bromley’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme annual report

Appendix A is a small sample of the feedback the team received from parents, carers and children and young people who attended HAF provision in 2025/2026

Children and young people:

"I really liked the sports and games, especially the team challenges. The coaches were really fun and  helped me get better at things I did not think I could do before!"

“I really liked coming because we got to play loads of different games and be outside more. The coaches were really nice, and I made some new friends."

“It’s really fun and I enjoy the Minecraft and MBOTS activity.” “If we could add activities I would add Minecraft build challenge, bouncy castle, show off and rocket masters.”

“Better than tech camp, wow camp is better as it’s improved with more exciting activities.”

“I loved it here because we did fun activities such as when we did movies yesterday and we used our imagination to think of the storyline.”

"I really liked the sports and games, especially the team challenges. The coaches were really fun and helped me get better at things I did not think I could do before!"

"I loved making new friends and trying different activities like the obstacle course and games. The staff were really kind and made it fun every day!"

"This was the best holiday club I’ve been to! I made new friends, loved the obstacle courses, and the food was really good too. I did not want it to end!”

Parents/Carers:

“The whole team should be super proud of what you’ve continued to achieve for young people in the area”

“You conduct amazing work and I'm so proud to know my son has a safe space to feel belonged and accepted”

“Thank so much for encouraging my son to try new stuff, he seems to be very happy every morning getting ready to go to the club and is confident in making and inviting new friend’s home. He has become very independent the last few weeks and is keen to try new foods”.

“Your HAF programme has had a very positive impact on my child. They consistently look forward to attending and often express a wish for the provision to run every day. The activities are engaging and well-structured, and the various outings are a real highlight that my child thoroughly enjoys. The food provided is greatly appreciated, and the dedication and professionalism of the staff team is clearly evident.”

"The HAF funding for my son’s half-term SEN provision made a truly positive difference to his wellbeing and development. It gave him the opportunity to take part in structured, supportive activities that were tailored to his individual needs, helping him build confidence, social skills, and independence in a safe environment. He was able to engage with peers, try new experiences, and enjoy his time in a way that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. The provision also provided valuable routine during the holidays, which is especially important for him. Overall, the support was incredibly beneficial for both his personal growth and happiness".

The breakfast boxes are a real treat for the children. They come in, are able to fuel before getting involved in the day’s activities. There is a good amount of food in there and often the pupils would keep some of it to have at the end of the day as they were leaving, so on top of the hot meal they receive at lunch, they are getting a good amount of food all day whilst at camp. The children were clearly so grateful for this additional meal. The take make boxes allowed the coaches to have informed conversations about how to cook meals at home, healthy meals they could make and what they could do with the left-over lentils, noodles etc. This was great to see and something we will encourage with our staff to do more as part of nutritional education.

We found that interactive, practical activities such as making fruit salads and team-based cooking challenges significantly increased children’s engagement with nutritional education. This approach led to greater willingness to try new foods and improved understanding of healthy lifestyle choices.

Child A and her sister, Child B, attended the HAF programme for the first time in 2025 after recently moving to Bromley. Both girls have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), additional needs, and speak English as an Additional Language.

Throughout the summer holidays, they attended a range of HAF provisions including Bromley FC, Forest School, and B&D Boxing. During visits to Forest School, both girls actively engaged in activities and developed friendships with other attendees. Child B spoke enthusiastically about her experiences and particularly enjoyed the food provided as part of the programme.

Initially, staff encountered some challenging behaviours from both girls. However, through the effective support and interventions of the provision staff, the girls settled well and became increasingly engaged. Providers noted a significant increase in Child A’s confidence and enthusiasm during her time at camp. Staff reported that she was upset on her first day, but by the end of her second session she was enjoying the provision so much that she did not want to leave.

Their father expressed his gratitude for the support provided through the HAF programme. He highlighted how beneficial it was to be able to drop both children at the same provision while allowing them opportunities to participate in separate activities and form their own friendships. He felt this had positively impacted family life, noting that the girls were spending more time independently and arguing less at home as a result.

Reflecting on their experience, he described the HAF programme as a "lifeline", praising both the variety of activities available and the ease of the booking process. The family's experience demonstrates the positive impact that high-quality holiday provision can have on children's confidence, social development, family wellbeing, and access to enriching opportunities.