True Colours Theatre in North Tyneside has won the Department for Educations (DfE) Choice 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 providing children from low-income families with access to free, nutritious food and engaging 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.
True Colours Theatre demonstrated an exceptional commitment to providing engaging activities for children during the holidays, and meeting the needs of children and young people with SEND by enabling cultural and creative enrichment activities through theatre.
Alisar Jane Taylor, found and CEO of True Colours Theatre said:
“HAF funding is a lifeline to many of our families during the holidays. With the rising cost of living it means we can fully fund those extra families who may be feeling isolated or experiencing social deprivation.
“Many of our families come from isolated home lives and from a SEND background and this provides vital social time and life skills. To know that we can make a difference with the support of HAF is so valuable.”
Around 600,000 children benefited from the overall programme over summer 2022 across over 8,000 clubs, events or organised activities in England.
Cllr Peter Earley, Cabinet Member responsible for supporting and protecting children at North Tyneside Council, said:
“We’re extremely proud of the HAF programme in North Tyneside that engages, entertains, and enriches young people’s lives during the school holidays while reducing the financial pressure on families.
“It’s fantastic to see one of our brilliant providers, True Colours Theatre, being recognised with this award. It’s testament to the work they do to support children and young people with disabilities by giving them a safe, happy place where they can truly express themselves, develop new skills and build new friendships. I’d like to congratulate them on this achievement!”
Minister Claire Coutinho, Minister for Children, Families and Wellbeing, said:
“Our Holiday Activities and Food Programme gives children across the country access to incredible experiences during the holidays, helping to make friends and create memories through enriching and fun activities.
“True Colours Theatre has gone above and beyond in offering an experience like no other and rightly deserves the recognition for their work.”
Winners of the Department for Education’s awards this year include:
- National Winner – Active Lives Active Communities (Doncaster)
- National Recognition Award - All Seasons Children’s Play (Cambridgeshire)
- National Recognition Award - Howe Bridge Leisure Centre (Wigan)
Childcare Works Award - Sir Hubert von Herkomer Arts Foundation (Camden)
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.
