EMILE HOLBA



‘The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme provides healthy meals, enriching activities, and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their health, wellbeing and learning’. Department of Education, UK Government 2025.

On a chilly afternoon in Oldbury, UK on 12th January 2023, I took the first portrait of a young person weightlifting in front of mirror in Sam’s Gym. Later, during the evening of 6th February 2025, I made a portrait of a group of young people hanging out in the Bangladeshi Women’s Association in Tipton. During the intervening years, 45 additional portraits were created, designed to offer a formal snapshot of families that access Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council’s Holiday, Activities and Food Programme (HAF).

These portraits were commissioned to accompany an extensive and meticulous three-year evaluation led by Abigail D’Amore of Sandwell’s HAF provision. The series aims to illuminate the diversity and variety of HAF providers, the local community spirit, and the locations where HAF activities take place. By showcasing the range of activities offered, from chess clubs and gardening to rock schools, horse riding, sports, and art classes, the series makes the evaluation report more accessible. Often dense and challenging to read, evaluation reports often lead readers to skip to the summary and conclusion instead of delving into more detailed analysis.

This innovative approach of incorporating human stories into the report helps bridge the gap between families’ experiences and decision-makers and leaders, fostering a deeper understanding of the impact of HAF provision.


School holidays can be a real challenge for many families in the UK. The pressure of keeping kids entertained, ensuring their safety, and managing the rising cost of living crisis, all while juggling work and home life, can be overwhelming. To address these pressures on low-income families and the working poor, the government launched a pilot project in 2018. To date, 153 upper-tier local authorities across the UK have participated, providing children with opportunities to develop their social skills, build confidence, and be part of a responsive community.

My repeated visits to Sandwell borough revealed the urgent needs of families there, and the government’s official figures since 2022 support this. The HAF programme has provided an impressive 10.7 million HAF days to children and young people in the UK. Year-on-year expansion has resulted in a staggering 5.4 million HAF days provided between Christmas 2022, Easter, and summer 2023 alone. HAF programmes are more than just holiday clubs; they are lifelines for families in need.

During the photography process, I was constantly amazed by the families’ candour, generosity of time, and willingness to collaborate with my ideas. I was ever mindful of the trust they placed in me and strived to create each portrait as a faithful yet formal representation of the family. However, I also wanted to ensure that the compositions were visually cohesive with the overall series. With varying space, activity, and often poor lighting conditions, I brought some wonder to each session by deploying different lighting techniques, light modifiers, unusual tripod positions, and directions. These elements collectively raised smiles and created a sense of joy and engagement.

The evaluation report provides a three-year snapshot, but three years is not enough to fully understand the impact of HAF. HAF is not a short-term fix, and with a significant change in the UK government in summer 2024 and unprecedented fiscal pressures, the future of HAF remains uncertain. I hope that the report provides compelling evidence to support funding allocation to local authorities, ensuring that this essential school holiday service continues to thrive.
To every family I spent time with, thank you so much for your kindness. It was a privilege to meet you all. I want to express my gratitude to all the providers for their support and assistance in organising the timings of each photo session. A special thank you goes to Samantha Harman, Commissioning Manager Strategy and Partnerships, and your team, including Tracey Jobber, Natasha Chavda and Sulma Begum. Your unwavering faith and support were instrumental in helping us complete the visual story.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to Abigail D’Amore for the opportunity to collaborate on creating your report. Your unparalleled attention to detail and deeply caring nature made working with you truly wonderful. I will miss our conversations during our many Sandwell road trips.

Some of the text featured on this page - including the descriptions of the families in the portraits - was written by Abigail. You can read the full in-depth report here: https://holidayactivities.sandwell.gov.uk/sandwell-haf-impact-report-2022-2025

Discover more of Abigail’s consultancy services: https://www.abigaildamoreassociates.com

Find our more about Sandwell Holiday Activities: https://holidayactivities.sandwell.gov.uk

Department for Education: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/holiday-activites-and-food-programme-2024

Out of the 47 Sandwell families involved in the evaluation, 27 consented to have their portraits made public. This page showcases them, along with quotes and descriptions transcribed from interviews conducted during the portrait sessions.
“I've noticed the staff know each child's name when we drop them off. And they're just so full of energy, they're really happy. Always, like, engaging with the children. I think they're really good.”

The HAF provision has helped low income working families, whose children have been able to attend. These two single-parent families claimed the HAF is a ‘lifeline’ for them to be able to work, as well as give the children opportunities that increase confidence, support with making friends, and learning new things. They particularly valued the inclusive approach this provider takes, and the reassurance this provides them.

HAF provider: Creative Active Lives
creativeactivelives.org.uk
“It's better than sitting at home and just chilling with your siblings. You got to go out and go with your friends and do stuff that you found fun. When we’re like all with each other and we get to do something, it’s really fun and you're just happy in that moment.”

This group of young people accessed HAF provision at a centre within their community. The young people described how they learnt many new things during the Sandwell HAF – including about different cultures, and arts, crafts and food related to that culture. Being among friends is particularly important to them and they felt included by the adults involved.

HAF provider: Bangladeshi Women’s Association
bwa-org.co.uk
“The holidays, they're socialising, meeting new friends, doing something. It gives you that boost, I’m part of this, I’m doing something, we’ve got some happy memories. That’s what you need over the holidays; it makes for happy times.”

For this family, being able to attend an activity that could be accessed by both of their children, one with SEND, was a particular highlight of the HAF. The family explained how the approach, kindness, care and inclusivity of the staff was critical to them all getting involved and feeling part of a community.

HAF Provider: Ideal for All (Salop Drive Market Garden)
idealforall.co.uk
“Like, we don’t want to [just] be like seen as something that the society wants to see us. Really just like, I just wanted to inspire others.”

This young person’s secondary school has an on-site gym that delivered HAF programmes during the holidays for students from the school and neighbouring school communities. The school is committed to providing pastoral care for students within and beyond term time. This young person decided to try weightlifting as part of the HAF programme. “Like, we don't want to [just] be like seen as something that the society wants to see us. Really I just wanted to inspire others.”

HAF Provider:  Sam’s Gym samsgym.org
“Because they’ve got so much community spirit within themselves that shows,they’ve got all the time in the world for the children. I know that if something was to happen it would get dealt with in the correct manner, but there’s never really any problems like that.”

For these two families, having positive, varied activities for their children to access during the holidays was important for all of their mental health. Both Mums felt safe leaving their children at the HAF, which is reassuring for them.

HAF provider: Tibby Residents Association scips.org.uk/9-case-study/13-tibbington-tenants-and-residents-association
 “They like coming here. They cry if I don’t bring them. It helps them communicate with other children. And they sleep better.” 

This family attended the HAF provision at their local community centre. The three girls attended all of the holiday clubs, and enjoyed all of the activities including arts and crafts. It helped Mum by giving her time to go shopping and sort things out at home during the holidays, and she now has become a volunteer at the centre.

HAF provider: Friar Park Millenium Centre facebook.com/friarparkcommunitycentre

“She always comes home smiling and happy. Her face says it all.”

This family accessed a HAF programme delivered by a SEND provider who had expertise in supporting children with profound and complex disabilities. Their daughter loves socialising, and struggles not being in school and out of routine during the holidays. Having something sociable she could come to during the holidays, where Mum has peace of mind she is safe and enjoying herself, means less stress for the family.

HAF Provider: 4Community Trust @ 4CT The Hub 4communitytrust.co.uk

“Because in the holidays nearly everyone just stays at home and that makes their like health go bad but if you go outside, keep playing sports just makes it better.”

This group of young people regularly attended HAF provision with a particular focus on sports and physical activities at their local community centre. The provider explained that they observe a lot of low self-esteem, so they incorporate a particular focus on mental health and wellbeing through physical activity. This extends to families, through supporting and raising awareness of other services that are available to them.

HAF provider: Bangladeshi Women’s Association bwa-org.co.uk

“I wanted to come every day – the grown ups, they were just like family!”

This family became part of the local community hub and accessed the HAF provision, as they found the holidays particularly challenging if they weren’t able to visit family during these times. The children shared how they enjoyed experiencing lots of different activities and made new friends.

HAF Provider: Bearwood Community Hub bearwood.cc
“It’s definitely a fun thing to have as a hobby, because there's like no pressure on you to do anything, but they encourage you to build up your confidence and then try new things.”

This group of friends were able to access music-based activities together and refine their band identity. It also helped them with confidence and social skills. They believe that the largest barrier that young people face with attending activities is confidence, and presenting and performing your work in front of others, which the HAF helped with. 

HAF provider: Coneygre Arts Centre Sandwell Youth Services justyouth.org.uk/coneygre-centre

“His behaviour is picked up off mainstream kids. It’s good for me as a parent to hear he’s been mixing with the mainstream kids and making new friends. He’s grown in confidence with his food choices and things like that as well.”

For this family, the HAF provided a means for siblings to access activities together during the holidays. The eldest child (pictured) has complex additional needs. Traditionally Mum has needed to seek separate holiday clubs and provision for his younger sister, however the HAF programme provided a club that accepted all children.

HAF provider:
SAFS safscare.org
“We learnt leadership skills and like, you can become more confident. The leaders will, like, show you how to be more confident, and you can talk to more people, and do more sports. So if you're not good at a sport, you can try and get better.”

For many older young people having HAF sports camps have been important times to socialise, and relieve holiday boredom. These three young people appreciated the fact that the leaders were young, and encouraged them to join in. This helped develop their own leadership skills and confidence.

HAF Provider: Sport4Life sport4life.org.uk

“I definitely think it's important for families like myself, who can't afford day trips out all the time. And we're doing things, nice things as a family, so it's creating a better family relationship, because we do fight if we're indoors all day, and it gets us out. I prefer being able to go together rather than drop them off.” 

Accessing activities together is important for this family – and the HAF has provided opportunities to create family memories that are affordable. Mum explained that the children have all grown in confidence, experienced new foods that they’ve since tried at home and made new friends. The welcoming staff were important, remembering the children’s names and putting them at ease.

HAF provider: Forge Mill Farm forgemillfarm.com
“Before the club, I didn't do chess at all because it was too confusing, yeah, but after the club, because they taught it really well, and I had to do it.”

The HAF provided a range of opportunities for this family to keep busy, active and inspired during the holidays, including cheerleading, dancing, farm visits and chess. Participating in the HAF led to the children continuing with hobbies beyond the holidays with Mum sharing it helped them become brave to try new things.

HAF Provider: Chess Mate:
chess-mate.co.uk
 “It makes me happy, because he's so shy, I always think is he ever gonna be able to overcome that? And here, I can see his confidence building makes me, makes me happy, obviously.”

This family attended HAF at their local nursery, which was a place the son was already familiar with. Knowing the staff and the surroundings helped with overcoming his shyness. Providing these activities helped Mum have a break during long holiday periods.

HAF provider: SADWICA day nursery
sadwica.co.uk
“My heart is full, they are really helpful so I'm really satisfied. It's really good for the kids, you know, to see new people, new kids, they enjoy more and it's really good for the parents as well.”

The children in this family attended various HAF activities at their local community centre, which kept them active and engaged during the holiday periods. As a result of bringing her children to the HAF, Mum found out about other provision offered by the provider, particularly English language classes.

HAF provider: Epic CiC
“I was just really happy to come back and have my daughter run at me, but then go back to the table because she wanted to finish off her arts and crafts. I couldn’t actually take her out of the building, even though it had finished because she didn’t want to leave.”

Having opportunities such as horse riding available through the HAF provision has been important to this young person’s and her Mum, especially seeing her daughter so happy, engaged and enthusiastic as a result. The presence of horses at the HAF provision was a positive focus, and a way of overcoming shyness for the young person.

HAF Provider: Warren’s Hall Riding School warrenshallriding.ecpro.co.uk
“Some people when they’re not at this, they’ll be out causing trouble somewhere else. That’s why being here makes it better.”

For some young people the HAF programme gave them a safe place to go that took them away from the streets. This group of young people attended holiday provision which provided a regular safe space with activities, but also took them on trips outside of the local area.

HAF provider: Yemeni Community Association yca-sandwell.org.uk
“We went knowing we were going into a safe welcoming environment where our son can be himself, which was just massively important.”

This family attended a movement and storytelling HAF activity in an outdoor woodland setting for children with additional needs. They enjoyed the inclusive nature of the activities, being outdoors, and particularly the fire!

HAF provider: Fantastic Journeys CiC facebook.com/FantasticJourneysCIC

“It's our favourite time of year. Once it goes live, we get so excited. We just love it, we absolutely love it. We're a good team as well, a really good team.”

This family has been involved in running the HAF since it started, with the daughter initially attending and now being a regular volunteer. For them it has been part of an extended family, and has been a way of them building a relationship with wider members of the community. HAF is a highlight for them as a family.

HAF provider: Friar Park Millenium Centre
facebook.com/friarparkcommunitycentre

“He’s done football, dodgeball, archery, croquet. They had quite nice handovers, when you drop off and when you pick up, if there's any problems, they would come out straight away and say, and praise him when he comes out, like they just said that you were golden and he was a superstar the whole time. Don't take HAF away. It's really, really needed, and it's made such a positive impact on the summer.”

This family accessed a SEND sports camp. It was the first time Mum had left her son to a holiday activity, and was impressed by how caring the staff were, meaning she felt comfortable with leaving him. His confidence really improved as a result, and he was able to regulate his emotions well.

HAF provider: West Bromwich Albion Foundation
wba.co.uk/albion-foundation

“The friends they make it’s had a good effect on them and they learn different things. At home we can only just go to the park, but here they are really doing a lot and we have no words to appreciate them, to say thank you.”

The children in this family were excited to attend the HAF programme, to mix with different children from different schools, to learn new things and to go on trips. For Mum, she has peace of mind that they are in a safe place due to the HAF programme being in a school environment.

HAF Provider: 4Community Trust @ 4CT The Hub
4communitytrust.co.uk
“Holidays can be really challenging. But with the HAF, everything's been nice because we have 25 activities, and that's like, we had horse riding, we had abseiling, we've had farm on wheels.”

This family has been accessing HAF activities with multiple providers during the holiday periods. All children have additional needs, meaning that Mum needs to carefully plan and evaluate which activities are suitable for them, and HAF has provided a cost effective way of meeting the needs of all of the family. As a result the children have developed friendships with other children, experienced new things and kept active.

HAF provider: Forge Mill Farm
forgemillfarm.com
“The music leaders, they push straight through it all and they still make it possible. That leaves a great impact on myself and I think most of us, to show that you can still push through it even when it's stressful.”

These young people attended a ‘School of Rock’ as part of the Sandwell HAF provision at a youth centre. They explained that for them, as well as being able to hone their instrumental skills, they have formed a band and secured gigs at professional venues. They both shared the impact of positive role models leading the activity, particularly seeing them overcoming resilience.

HAF provider: Coneygre Arts Centre / Sandwell Youth Services
justyouth.org.uk/coneygre-centre

“The good thing about it is there’s lots of kids, lots of different age groups, no matter how old you are you’ve got someone that you can talk to and also the staff here, they’re really supportive.”

In this family the two older children attended a mixed age-group HAF provision that focussed on physically active games and outdoor activities. They explained how they made new friends, had ‘amazing food’ and enjoyed going on trips.

HAF Provider: Limitless Academy CiC limitlessacademy.uk