Justice Prince in North Tyneside has won a Department for Educations (DfE) Regional Award for its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) club at this year’s Holiday Activities and Food Awards.
The accolade was presented for their work in giving children from low-income families with access to free, nutritious food and engaging and fun activities over the school holidays.
Hundreds of thousands of children across England attend the clubs nationwide, which support parents with childcare costs over the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays, offering children enriching activities such as football, play sessions and cooking classes.
Justice Prince was recognised for building a sense of connection and community through its work in Longbenton by including parents and carers in the sessions.
They meet the needs of children and young people by working with North Tyneside Council and local businesses to gain new opportunities and experiences.
From trips to the coast in Summer to take part in surfing lessons and enjoying the splash park to ice skating and soft play session at Christmas, there’s always something enriching and fun for families to enjoy.
To recognise their work, the community interest company attended the annual event at the House of Commons in London where they received their award.
Julie Cruddas from Justice Prince, said:
“We are delighted to have won such a prestigious award, all our team work hard to ensure children and families are supported to engage in a range of enriching activities that may not normally be available to them.
“We love introducing new foods into our sessions, both children and adults enjoy an array of healthy snacks and meals. It’s great to have our work acknowledged.
Cllr Peter Earley, Cabinet Member responsible for supporting and protecting children at North Tyneside Council, said:
“Our HAF programme in North Tyneside engages, entertains and enriches the lives of young people in our borough during the school holidays while reducing the increasing financial pressure on families at the same time.
“Justice Prince has been at the centre of the Longbenton community for a long time and it’s brilliant to see them being recognised with this award.
“They have created a safe community for families in the area who can come together, experience new things, access nutritious meals and build new friendships. Well done to everyone there for this achievement.”
The government’s holiday activities and food programme started as a pilot in 2018. It was created in response to the pressures that low-income families can face over the holidays, with some children being less likely to access organised out-of-school activities, and more likely to experience social isolation and ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of nutrition and physical health.
It provides free places for school-aged children from reception to year 11 who receive benefits related free school meals. Government provides funding through local authorities to fund clubs over summer, Easter and Christmas breaks.
