HAF Club
Since Easter of 2025, KYP has hosted Activity days for children from the ages of 4 –16 funded through the Holiday, Activity & Food programme (HAF) managed by Rochdale Borough Council. The days were all designed to promote healthy living and creativity through various activities which were all planned out by our KYP staff members. Each day was planned with a specific theme that the main activity of the day was planned around. The Children were all also provided a nutritious hot meal, freshly made in house.
The themes for the days were:
- – Creatvivity Day
- – Healthy Cooking Day
- – Woodland Walk Day
- – Cinema Day
- – Gardening Day
Since the inception of KYP’s HAF club, we have welcomed over 200 kids from across the borough.
Creativity Day
On Creativity Day, the children enthusiastically participated in a wide range of arts and crafts activities designed to encourage imagination, self-expression, and creativity. They enjoyed creating and decorating papier-mâché eggs in a variety of colours and patterns, allowing them to showcase their individual ideas and artistic skills. The children also painted and coloured pictures of chicks and Easter eggs, experimenting with different colours and techniques to bring their artwork to life.
Throughout the day, the children were encouraged to share their creations with their peers, helping to build confidence, communication skills, and a sense of achievement. They worked both independently and collaboratively, supporting one another and celebrating each other’s efforts.
In addition to the creative activities, the children took part in a variety of indoor sports, including football and cricket. These activities provided opportunities to develop their coordination, teamwork, and sportsmanship while promoting healthy physical activity. The children demonstrated excellent participation, taking turns, following instructions, and encouraging their peers during games.
The children also took turns reading stories to one another, demonstrating confidence, listening skills, and respect for their peers. This activity encouraged a love of reading while helping to develop their literacy, communication, and comprehension skills. The children listened attentively, engaged in discussions about the stories, and supported each other by taking turns and reading aloud with enthusiasm.
The day was filled with laughter, creativity, and active engagement, providing the children with an enjoyable and enriching experience that supported both their artistic development and physical wellbeing
Woodland Walk Day
On Woodland Walk Days, the children would begin the day by participating in a variety of indoor sports activities, including football and cricket. These activities encouraged teamwork, cooperation, and physical exercise while allowing the children to develop their coordination and sporting skills in a fun and supportive environment.
The highlight of the day was a relaxing woodland walk through Roch Wood, where the children had the opportunity to explore nature and learn about the surrounding environment. As they walked through the woodland, they observed different plants, trees, and wildlife, sparking curiosity and encouraging discussions about the natural world. The walk provided a valuable opportunity for the children to connect with nature, develop their observational skills, and enjoy the fresh air and peaceful surroundings.
Following their woodland adventure, the children visited South Street Park, where they enjoyed a range of outdoor play activities. They eagerly took turns using the zipwire, sliding down the slide, and playing on the swings. These activities promoted confidence, balance, and physical development while giving the children the chance to have fun and interact with their peers.
In the afternoon, the children took part in colouring activities and enjoyed additional sports and games. Throughout the day, they socialised with one another, built new friendships, and created lasting memories through shared experiences and teamwork. The day was filled with exploration, learning, physical activity, and enjoyment, providing the children with a rewarding and memorable experience.
Healthy Cooking Day
On the Healthy Cooking Days, the children enjoyed a fun-filled and engaging day focused on healthy eating, creativity, teamwork, and physical activity.
On some days, They had a fantastic time developing their cooking skills by preparing their own fresh chicken wraps. A variety of ingredients, including salad, chicken, cheese, and sauces, were provided, allowing the children to customise their wraps to suit their individual tastes while learning about making balanced and healthy food choices.
On other days, The children also enjoyed creating colourful fruit kebabs using a selection of fresh fruits. This activity encouraged them to explore different fruits, discuss their nutritional benefits, and develop their fine motor skills as they carefully assembled their kebabs. Their creativity continued as they decorated cupcakes, using a range of toppings and designs to create unique and personalised treats.
To promote teamwork and problem-solving, the children took part in a marshmallow and spaghetti tower challenge. Working in small groups of five or six, they collaborated to design and build the tallest and most stable structures possible. This activity encouraged communication, cooperation, critical thinking, and resilience as they tested different ideas and worked together towards a common goal.
Throughout the day, the children remained active by participating in a variety of sports and physical activities, including badminton, football, cricket, and dodgeball. These games helped to develop their coordination, teamwork, and sportsmanship while promoting healthy exercise and active lifestyles.
The children also had opportunities to relax and socialise through a range of board and table games, including Connect 4 and Uno. These activities encouraged strategic thinking, turn-taking, and positive social interaction among peers.
Overall, Healthy Cooking Day was an enjoyable and enriching experience that combined healthy eating, creativity, teamwork, and physical activity. The children demonstrated excellent participation throughout the day, developed new skills, built friendships, and created many happy memories.
Gardening Day
On the gardening days, The children Paid a visit to the Petrus Community Garden, where they were given a guided tour and had the opportunity to explore the beautiful outdoor space while learning about plants, nature, and gardening. One of the highlights of the day was getting hands-on by planting strawberry plants, with some children even taking their plants home to continue caring for and growing them.
Back at Unity House, the gardening fun continued as the children got their hands dirty planting colourful flowers in hanging baskets. They took great pride in their work and enjoyed learning new gardening skills while connecting with nature.
The children also embraced their creative side by producing artwork using paints and a variety of craft materials. Alongside the arts activities, they enjoyed a range of indoor sports and games, keeping active and having fun with their friends throughout the day.
To round off the day, the children gathered together for a cosy story time session, providing the perfect opportunity to relax, reflect, and unwind after an exciting day of activities.
Cinema Day
As part of our HAF programme, the children enjoyed an exciting trip to the cinema for a fun-filled movie experience. There was a fantastic turnout across all the days and the excitement was evident from the moment everyone arrived, eager to settle into their seats and enjoy a film on the big screen.
The children thoroughly enjoyed watching family favourites such as Elio and The Magic Faraway Tree, immersing themselves in the stories, characters, and big-screen experience. The films sparked plenty of excitement and conversation throughout the day.
The trips provided a wonderful opportunity for the children to relax, socialise, and spend quality time with friends outside of their usual activities. For some children, this was their very first cinema experience, making the day even more special and memorable.
