The West Ham United Foundation is thrilled to have carried out another set of successful provisions and programmes for schoolchildren during the Easter holidays.
Through Holiday Hammers and the Holiday Activity and Food programmes, the Foundation was able to engage with hundreds of children from the local and wider communities over the two-week Easter break.
Holiday Hammers
As always, Holiday Hammers was a true hit, with many familiar faces returning to take part in the footballing activities. Every school holiday, Holiday Hammers welcomes young football enthusiasts of all abilities aged five to 15 to partake in a range of activities to develop their skills, all the while making new friends and learning from the Foundation’s experienced coaching staff.
“We’re really successful here at Holiday Hammers in terms of retention of attendees,” said WHUF Female Player Development Manager Nick Crickmar. “We seem to be able to create a really positive and encouraging environment that is open to all, accessible to everybody, to both those in the local, as well as the wider community.”
One parent kindly described her son’s experience with the school holiday football camp: “My son usually plays outfield but loved his time at the goalkeeper camp as it allowed him to understand what goalkeepers need from their teammates,” she said.
“Holiday Hammers is brilliant value for money with very friendly staff. As a parent I feel that all of his needs were more than looked after and I also felt totally confident leaving my son there for the day!”
Healthy Hammers – Holiday Activities and Food programme
Another programme which has proved very successful during the holiday period is Healthy Hammers, also known as the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
Devised to tackle holiday hunger, HAF is a free scheme which provides families who are struggling financially with a safe environment where their children can stay active – through sporting activities and educational workshops – and healthy, as each child receives one hot meal per day.
Working closely with the local councils, the Foundation also looks to support parents and guardians, both by providing time for them to work or juggle other responsibilities, and helping families access guidance and advice.
“The most rewarding aspect of my role at the Foundation is seeing young people enjoying themselves, making friends and having a good time,” said WHUF HAF coordinator, Ruth Kennedy. “It’s also great to know that they’re eating healthily when they attend our activities. They also get things to take home with them, such as healthy recipes for parents and guardians, as well as food hampers.
“The programme has been really positively received by parents. It’s helped a lot of them if they’re working or have other childcare responsibilities. It’s one less thing for them to worry about; knowing that their kids are safe, enjoying themselves, learning new skills, meeting new people, and having a hot meal.”
During the Easter holidays, the Foundation was able to deliver the programme across five boroughs, Barking & Dagenham, Basildon, Havering, Loughton and Thurrock, engaging 185 children in total and supplying them with over 650 hot meals.
Pupil Support Manager and Deputy Safeguarding Lead at Lincewood Primary – one of the many schools in East London and Essex that receives these provisions – Cheryl Farrow said: “Families are supported in many ways, particularly those who are struggling financially. The Foundation has provided food parcels and lunches to so many of our low-income families.
“Having the Foundation present means that as a school we have less worry about how some of our families will afford lunches during the holidays. We feel privileged to be able to offer the children of Lincewood high quality activities because of the Foundation.
“It also means that some of our more vulnerable children get respite from circumstances at home as well as having fun and having a healthy hot meal. I believe HAF it is an extremely valuable resource to our families. Some rely on it and ask if it will be on for the next holiday!”
If you or anyone you know may be eligible for the Foundation’s HAF provisions, please contact our HAF Coordinator, Ruth Kennedy at [email protected].
For booking onto our upcoming Holiday Hammers camps, make sure to visit the Foundation’s booking website at foundation.whufc.com for information on dates and venues.