Reading families invited to register for summer Holiday Activity & Food scheme

Hundreds of families across Reading are being invited to register for the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) scheme this summer.

The programme provides a wide range of different activities, and lunches, for children who are normally entitled to pupil premium free school meals.

Eligible families are able to register for places on the scheme on the Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) website now at: Holiday Activities and Food scheme (HAF) - Brighter Futures For Children.

This summer, eligible children are invited to attend four-hour sessions, four times a week for four weeks.

The list of organisations offering holiday camps ranges from Reading FC to Rabble Theatre and from New Direction College to Grassrootz.

Families need to re-register to access HAF activities every new holiday season, even if they have used the scheme previously.

BFfC co-ordinates HAF on behalf of Reading Borough Council and the scheme is funded by the Department for Education.

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We were so pleased that more than 700 children attended the fun activities through the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) scheme over the Easter break.

“Now, I would encourage eligible families to register to make sure their children can join in the amazing holiday camps which will be available over the long summer break. Don’t forget, you need to re-register even if you have used the HAF scheme before.”

Graeme Hoskin, Lead Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “In these tough times when so many families are struggling financially it is important there is extra support available during the school holidays.

“The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) scheme will make a big difference to those families whose children will be able to have great fun, make new friends and enjoy a nutritious lunch throughout the summer break.”

To register for HAF and to find more information please visit: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/for-parents-carers/schools/haf/

Notes to Editors

The full list of organisations offering holiday camps through the HAF scheme are: NSSPORT, Sports in Mind, St Josephs, Reading FC, Usport, Premier Education, New Direction College, Cultural Education Partnership, Next Thing Education, Make Sense, Little Musketeers, Rabble Theatre, Grassrootz.


Kit Lam joins Brighter Futures for Children as Executive Director of Finance and Resources

Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) in Reading has announced the appointment of Kit Lam as its new, permanent Executive Director of Finance and Resources.

Kit has worked in the not-for-profit and public sector for more than 20 years, with her last three posts at senior leadership level in the education sector.

In her last role as Chief Operating Officer for a newly formed multi-academy trust, she successfully developed and led the centralised corporate functions, supporting schools operating across three regions in the UK.

Kit, who is a qualified certified accountant, joined the Reading children’s company on 6 June.

She said: “I am thrilled to be part of Brighter Futures for Children, an organisation which is clearly passionate and committed to delivering the best possible opportunities for the children of Reading.

“The chance to play a part in helping every child and young person in Reading to have a happy, healthy and successful life will be at the core of my focus while supporting and working with the fantastic team at BFfC.”

Di Smith, Board Chair at Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming Kit Lam as the company’s Executive Director of Finance and Resources.

“Kit comes with vast experience working in the not-for-profit and public sector, and as a senior leader in the field of education. Her enthusiasm and commitment to providing the best possible services for children and young people makes her a perfect fit for Brighter Futures for Children.”