Would your children like to take part in fun and educational technology based activities this summer?
Solihull Council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is now underway, with more than 35 providers across 42 locations, offering funded places, including SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) relevant places.
Technology related sessions available include coding, robotics, game-building, digital safety and citizenship, stop motion animation, Minecraft challenges and game development. These activities are delivered by providers such as Jam Coding, Robocode and Computer Xplorers.
Other more traditional sessions are also taking place across the borough, with arts and crafts, cooking, swimming, plus a wide range of sports from dodgeball and darts to tennis, football, hockey and netball. All eligible children taking part in HAF are provided with a free lunch.
Family activities are running across the summer holidays at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and North Solihull Sports Centre. Swimming, badminton and table tennis sessions, on various dates until 1 September, plus tennis and Active Antz soft play (under 5s) are additionally available at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre – participants in family activities receive a free meal.
Ever popular ice skating, for both children and families is available at Planet Ice Solihull. Teenagers can access the rink without a parent or guardian’s attendance, available for HAF eligible 13 to 16 year olds. Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens are providing free family access to the gardens across the entire holiday period for HAF families.
Many of the same sessions can also be booked at great value prices, if your child is not eligible for benefits related free school meals. As well as HAF, there are summer activities and events during the holidays, across Solihull and beyond, both free and chargeable.
Councillor Karen Grinsell, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Solihull Council, said: “The summer holiday period can be a real headache for parents and carers, to ensure their children or young people are occupied and have access to fun, interesting, educational and above all safe activities. Whether or not you are eligible for free HAF sessions, Solihull Council has facilitated a substantial range of activities for both children and families. We have a number of new providers, which means even more variety of locations and sessions, such as the introduction of more technology based activities for Solihull children. Most of these can also be accessed by non-eligible children and families, with prices that offer great value for money.”
“We also have a wide range of fun, family sessions at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and North Solihull Sports Centre. These, in addition to activities at Planet Ice Solihull and entrance to Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens, allow parents and carers of eligible families, free access to a number of venues. A truly comprehensive range of activities are available for our residents this summer.”
Wayne Desmond, contract manager at Everyone Active, said: “We’re delighted to be working with our partner, Solihull Council, to take part in the national HAF programme and provide children with the opportunity to get active this summer, regardless of their financial circumstances.”
“With activities designed to promote both physical wellbeing and social interaction, we hope to see children from Solihull visit our leisure centres to have fun and develop new skills.”
See what’s on offer. Check availability and book activities this summer:
Children’s activities - https://edportals.solihull.gov.uk/Synergy/Live/SynergyWeb/Solihull_FSD/HAF2024.aspx
Family activities - https://edportals.solihull.gov.uk/Synergy/Live/SynergyWeb/Solihull_FSD/Enquiries/Search.aspx?searchID=93
Everyone Active sessions at Tudor Grange Leisure Centre and North Solihull Sports Centre require advanced registration if you have not registered previously. Places are limited for each session, book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. For families not eligible for the funded family activities, prices and sessions can be viewed by selecting your preferred centre https://www.everyoneactive.com/centre/
Planet Ice - skating sessions - teenagers aged 13 to 16 years
Castle Bromwich Hall Gardens – HAF family pass to gardens https://edportals.solihull.gov.uk/Synergy/Live/SynergyWeb/Solihull_FSD/Enquiries/Search.aspx?BX=AlewRdp25HA%3D&AY=KnNxFJthubc%3D
SEND/additional needs activities –https://edportals.solihull.gov.uk/Synergy/Live/SynergyWeb/Solihull_FSD/SpecialistActivities.aspx