Stop 300 children from going hungry in London

As Winter fast approaches, we're taking the time to reflect on Summer at Be Enriched. We are proud to celebrate the success of our Holiday Kid’s Club with The Food Bus team, part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme. This year’s summer programme was packed with exciting activities and healthy, educational workshops designed to keep children engaged, learning, and well-nourished during the school holidays.

Hands-on Workshops and Creative Cooking

This summer, 50 places were filled as children took part in our workshops, took home an average of 15 takeaway boxes per session filled with yummy, nutritious food. From crafting delicious oat banana pancakes, to making their own quesadillas with guacamole, and freshly squeezed orange juice, the children had a chance to explore new recipes and tastes.

One of the summer’s highlights was the peach and strawberry crumble workshop, where kids learned to create a sweet treat from scratch. They also prepared potato wedges with a homemade, healthy ketchup. Other activities included making veggie pasta bake, learning to cook Korean veggie pancakes and whipping up healthy oat chocolate chip cookies and veggie frittatas. The children even crafted their own pizza dough from scratch, adding their favourite toppings before baking and eating.

You can donate to support our kids clubs here.

The Importance of HAF Funding

Since its launch in 2018, the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme has been a lifeline for many families, offering much-needed support during the school holidays. It ensures that children who rely on free school meals during term time don’t go without proper nutrition when school is out. However, the future of HAF funding remains uncertain, making it more important than ever to spotlight the significance of these school holiday provisions.

Research shows that school holidays can be challenging for many families, with some children from low-income households missing out on activities and healthy meals. The HAF programme helps to bridge this gap by funding free holiday clubs that offer nutritious food, educational activities, and a sense of community.

Positive Feedback from Parents

We were thrilled to receive positive feedback from parents about our summer holiday kids clubs. Two parents highlighted their satisfaction with our simple booking system, the range of activities, and the organisation of the sessions. They were also impressed with the quality of the venue and facilities provided.

“We really enjoyed the cooking and arts and crafts sessions.”

“These cooking activities are always awesome, and not only do we always cook something we haven’t tried before, but my child always learns a new skill, which is amazing. So, as for us, the activities so far are perfect.” 

More Than Food

Our holiday provisions do more than just fill bellies; they foster a sense of belonging and help children build friendships and social skills. Through cooking workshops and physical activities, we empower children to make healthy choices that extend beyond the summer holidays.

Simon, our Food Bus Manager, noted the positive impact:

"It’s fantastic to see the kids learning new skills, staying active, and enjoying nutritious meals. The combination of food and fun makes this programme so special, and it’s great to see the community come together."

A Summer to Remember

As we say goodbye to another Summer Holiday, we look forward to welcoming families aboard throughout the autumn and winter months. We are extremely proud of The Food Bus Team and thank our local community for joining us.

As the future of HAF remains uncertain, it is crucial that we continue to recognise and support the vital role that school holiday programmes play in our communities. Without continued funding, many families will struggle to provide their children with the same level of support during the holidays. We are committed to doing everything we can to ensure that all children thrive both in and out of school.

You can support our kids clubs by donating here!