For the winter programme, we used a £500 donation we kindly received from Active SEN Recruitment to fund enrichment activities that took place at the SEND specialist provisions.

Our main partnership was with Morrisons, which has been sustained for a few years now and who provided us with vouchers that were distributed amongst providers in Sidcup last summer.  They also donated some fruit and vegetables to us for the Winter and Easter programmes. These were distributed to as many providers as possible, who could hand them out as a snack.

Our providers have also developed links with local companies.  Some have linked in with local catering companies, coaching companies and organisations who deliver workshops.  These organisations include The Chunky Teapot, Popsey Coffee, My Café, Animalia, Baby Ballet Shine, as well as the international organisation NFL team Jacksonville Jaguars.

For our Winter Programme, a few of our providers received some free Take and Make boxes that were being provided by the Mayor’s Fund of London.  These include healthy ingredients for children themselves, or the whole family to get involved and cook a meal.  The boxes ensure that the family are able to eat a meal that evening, as many of the families who use the HAF programme cannot afford to eat an evening meal.

One of our providers also worked with The Felix Project, who like FareShare help to save and utilise surplus food which would have otherwise gone to waste.  They were able to provide the programme with a large quantity of surplus food, which included fresh fruit, vegetables and cupboard food, who in turn give it out to families who needed them over a period of 4 days.

In partnership with the Jacksonville Jaguars, one provider received tickets to an NFL game at Wembley Stadium.  This was a great experience for the children and those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the day.  In addition to this, the young people attending the club at the Winter holidays also received free merchandise from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

We strengthened our partnerships with organisations such as the Children’s University and local library services, continuing to offer enriching activities that combine fun with learning.