WINTER HAF REPORT December - January
Our Impact 2,779
306
695
Free hot meals distributed
Number of activities throughout the week!
107
616
Hours of service
Total Volunteer hours
People attended our Community Christmas Day at both our sites
12
532
Corporate Volunteer hours
Sign ups!
616 Individuals attended
Total of Youth Work hours for young people
800+
This year has been both challenging and rewarding for some of our members and their young people and families that we work with at Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone. Due to the financial crisis that has affected many families and young people, the HAF has provided invaluable support. Their provision has allowed us to assist young people and families who depend on their services. This ensures that children have access to a safe space, educational and recreational activities, as well as a hot and nutritious meal.
Food Offer and Provision Through winter HAF, we had an array of food options on offer in the hopes that young people would wander out of their comfort zones and try something new. For breakfast, we had options such as - crepes, yoghurts, breakfast biscuits, and cereal. For lunch, we had options such as - pasta bake, mac and cheese, chicken and gravy, and sandwiches, all with the option of adding vegetables to each meal. Most YP found they hadn't tried most of what we had on offer, although comfortable favourites were there we found 90% would ask for something different to try. One young person tried green beans for the first time, querying what they were and how they tasted. The young person said they now LOVE them and have requested them at home! On pick-up/drop-off time, we had several conversations with parents who all reiterated the same topic, the cost of living crisis. Many families are finding it tough especially in the holidays to cater to the ever-growing appetites of juniors, who on a daily occasion ask for seconds and thirds. We are very fortunate to have our catering team cater for all of our provisions. Juniors thoroughly enjoy all the dinners that are provided.
B&DYZ Play Provision Ages 8-12 We then had a session on being kind to ourselves and others, where young people wrote letters about their proud moments from the last year, what they love about themselves, and what they hope to achieve in the future. They also wrote letters to people they admired, with motivational quotes and reasons why they were proud of them. It wouldn't be a Winter Wonderland without an array of play, imagination, and recreational challenges. This year our programme was fun filled with snowman catch, reindeer toss, and wrap the snowman - just to name a few. Along with a jam-packed sensory and messy programme, young people were allowed to role-play and indulge in a world of Christmas imagination by playing in Santa’s workshop.
Health & Well-being Project We held health and well-being sessions for 303 young people in both Junior programmes, where they could connect with themselves. Before the HAF programme, we talked to our members to understand their preferences and put together a mini-programme that covered the topics they wanted to focus on. We began the week with a "mini pamper" session to help our young people reset and refresh after Christmas and New Year.
In the second session, we went on a scavenger hunt around the town centre. This helped the young people to connect with their senses, such as hearing the trains, the voices of people walking by, and smelling the food cooking in the market. The third session was a first-aid training with a twist, where the young people played the role of doctors and nurses, and the staff acted as patients. This exercise gave them an insight into potential situations and how to deal with incidents and issues. We closed the week with a calming mindfulness yoga session and positive affirmations. We noticed that the young people had low self-esteem and confidence, so we did positive affirmations after the yoga to address this. We began by writing negative names that had been thrown around
on social media on mirrors with chalk pens. Then we wiped off all the negativity and started with positive affirmations. One young person said they had never looked at words in that way before. Overall, it was a successful week, and we were glad to have helped these young people connect with themselves and improve their well-being.
Food and Nutrition Project During the HAF week, we designed a program that included healthy food and nutrition. This program enabled 91 young individuals from Blackburn Juniors to explore their creativity with food while gaining knowledge about food nutrition. The program commenced with a variety of healthy snacks, which were different from the usual snacks that young people typically take from the kitchen. During the first session, the young participants were asked to create a balanced meal plate that contains carbohydrates, healthy fats, and protein.
This led to a conversation around the table about what these nutrients are and where they can be found. In the second session, the participants were given a challenge to create a 3course healthy menu, and to choose one course to prepare at the end of the week. They were also taught how to budget for their recipes, which involved comparing supermarkets, looking at brands versus low-cost alternatives, and finding the best value for their money. The third session involved taking the participants on a supermarket trip to purchase the ingredients they needed to make a carrot cake and a chunky vegetable soup. They were given a budget to work with and were able to successfully stick to it by being prepared and knowledgeable. The finale was our members preparing a meal together, everyone worked as a team to measure and mix the ingredients, bake them, and cool them before decorate. Each young person went home with a slice of carrot cake followed by a warming flask of soup. AR said, “She can't wait to show her mum and try many different flavours in a cake.” Our Junior members participated in a healthy meal project at our Darwen Youth Zone. Young people took time to sit and design various healthy and nutritious foods on bubble maps.
Our Junior members participated in a healthy meal project at our Darwen Youth Zone. Young people took time to sit and design various healthy and nutritious foods on bubble maps. They filtered them out and learned how to fit them into actual meals. Young people sat and budgeted using our tablets to determine how much the items cost. The staff then assisted young people in going to the local supermarket and picking out what they needed from their budget. The morning group decided to make a chicken salad and homemade hummus, and the afternoon group made fruit salads and smoothies in the scope of a healthy lunch option and dessert. Young people thoroughly enjoyed baking/cooking and got themselves involved in the whole process from start to beginning. Along the way, we served carrot and cucumber sticks and fruit as snacks, with nutritional advice filtered in along the way. Some young people had never tried some of the food on offer before, all tasted - some liked, some loved and some wouldn't try again. The key takeaway from this is that young people had tried foods they hadn't ever had before, whether this was something they liked or not this opened up the thought process to try something new.
Ice Skating Trip What a way to end Winter HAF with an ice skating trip. We took 40 young people over to Planet Ice where members loved trying something new and challenging, an opportunity that parents/carers and young people said they couldn't provide for their children due to the cost of living crisis. With the session lead and digital lead being able to skate, this encouraged and supported the young people to keep their balance and use their legs to push themselves and glide on the ice. One young person, in particular, has always wanted to go ice skating, however when he was there he was petrified of getting on the ice, there were tears and screams but with some time and perseverance, he got on the ice and conquered his fears. With some tips and advice on the best way to skate, the young people took off like we were opening a new series of Dancing On Ice. This trip brought together young people they wouldn't necessarily socialise with, allowing friendships to be built, including young people from Darwen, promoting fantastic social cohesion.
New Faces During HAF we had a number of young people return and for some, it was their first time. For those returning it was lovely to see and hear what they have been up to since summer HAF, and how they have spent the last few months, learning in school, and what they have achieved in school clubs. Most of our returning young people ensured that anyone that was new felt a warm welcome in winter. The winter programme allowed young people to work together by creating arts and crafts, team relays in sports, and also ensuring that whatever game was being delivered, everyone had the opportunity to take part.
B&DYZ Youth Provision 13-16 Baking sessions proved to be a hit, with young people enthusiastically making treats like cookie dough, jammy biscuits, cookies, and white chocolate Greek yoghurt bars. Other winter-related activities contributed to a well-rounded and engaging experience for all young people.
The Blackburn and Darwen Youth Winter Wonderland HAF provision unfolded across four days, spanning the last week of December to the end of the first week of January. The initiative successfully engaged 438 young people fostering a vibrant and inclusive environment for winter-themed fun and learning. The programme featured various creative and recreational activities that resonated well with the youth. Art activities, such as snow globe making, bath bomb crafting, smile creation, candle making, and wreath designing, allowed young people to express themselves artistically. Recreational games, including the snowman egg drop, tallest snowman challenge, snowball shovel minute-towin-it challenges, and the chubby bunny challenge, added an element of excitement and friendly competition.
Our detached team was on a mission to connect with the community. They distributed packed lunches and engaged with young people in the local park, fostering a sense of unity. The youth enthusiastically participated in a spirited game of football, showcasing the power of sports to bring people together. Beyond the field, discussions unfolded on essential life skills, with thoughtful debates about money management and strategies for staying warm throughout the winter. This hands-on approach provided nourishment and physical activity. It offered a platform for meaningful conversations on practical topics, contributing to the holistic well-being of the young people in the community.
One quote from a young person captures the essence of the Winter Wonderland experience: "This winter has been very special at Youth Zone." This sentiment reflects the positive impact and meaningful memories created during the HAF provision. A key success of the programme is the members who attended HAF have been retained in our universal provision. The Blackburn and Darwen Youth Winter Wonderland HAF provision successfully engaged a substantial number of young people and created a festive and enriching atmosphere. The diverse range of activities offered a mix of creativity, fun, and learning, contributing to positive feedback from participants. The impact of this initiative extends beyond the numbers, leaving lasting impressions on the youth who found joy, connection, and a sense of belonging during the winter season at Youth Zone.
SEND Provision
Programme and Delivery Our SEND provision followed the Winter Wonderland theme but with an added sensory and imaginative twist catering to all members. Young people were given the opportunity to partake in Arts and Crafts, making paper snowflakes, snow globes, animal masks, and keyrings as well as designing their own t-shirts and socks.
We were delighted to be able to provide our HAF Send Provision again this winter, not only for our current Diversity members but also for lots of new members in the community, with the provision having 40 sign-ups. Naturally, our young people come with a variety of needs and disabilities, and on this occasion, we were able to cater to all those who attended. Some of the needs and disabilities included: ADHD Autism Hip dysplasia Sensory Processing Disorder Cerebral Palsy Down Syndrome Hearing Impairment Developmental Language Disorder
Young people also learned life skills through food hygiene and heat safety, making chocolate Krispies, cake decorating, and shortbread biscuits. Young people could also access sensory play activities through kinetic sand, slime, sensory stations and face painting. One of the more popular activities was our SEND music sessions, where young people could also explore their musical curiosities and play the drums, keyboard, and karaoke.
Community Day During the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, we organised our annual Family Fun Day at both our Blackburn and Darwen sites, which proved to be a tremendous success. Families, youth, and partners from across the borough joined us in celebrating this festive occasion just before Christmas. A total of 630 individuals attended our Blackburn site, while 150 visited our newly established Darwen site. The event offered families the chance to enjoy a communal Christmas dinner, while young attendees engaged in various activities, including Christmas party games, bouncy castles, face painting, riding the bucking reindeer, and watching a captivating magic show. Families also had the opportunity to have their photographs taken within a snow globe, adding to the festive atmosphere. Additionally, families could meet Father Christmas and his helper in our grotto. We were happy to set up donation stations where families and young people could take home items like presents, bedding, toilet rolls, mince pies, and bread for free. The day was a big success, with a lively atmosphere, high energy, and all families left happy and ready for Christmas.
Case Study- AS
AS's journey at the Junior Club and his involvement with HAF have been nothing short of inspiring. Despite initially presenting as a challenging individual, AS quickly transformed into a dedicated and enthusiastic member of B&DYZ. Each afternoon, his anticipation and eagerness to participate in activities were palpable, demonstrating his growing commitment to positive change. Throughout his time in HAF, AS showed remarkable progress. Despite initially spending most of his time alone, he fearlessly embraced new experiences and made new connections with other young people, showcasing his new skills in independence and adaptability. He also stepped out of his comfort zone and engaged really well on the ice skating trip. He went on with no fear and within 20 minutes, he could balance and support himself to go around independently. It has been highlighted that during HAF, AS's attitude towards trying something new increased, which was amazing to see.
Case Study- JS
JS is a member of Youth Zone, but before this winter HAF, JS hadn’t participated in any sessions. Parents came in to explain he was a member, highlighting JS has autism and asked if it would be okay to attend. JS was a little wary on arrival but was more than comfortable being shown around the building and answering questions about his interests. JS started the week a little withdrawn, gathering his bearings and weighing the activity options up. By the end of the week, Jack had made friends and was confident in approaching staff for any help he needed. JS actively spoke with other members and recognised a familiar face from the same school. Upon completing HAF, it was a pleasant surprise to see JS come and attend our regular sessions. HAF eased JS back into Youth Zone and helped him become aware of the building, so much so that he returned the following week!
Case Study- LY
LY is a regular HAF attendee and because Mum works, she finds the Darwen HAF provision beneficial. LY first came into HAF very quiet, although she had always joined in every activity, LY wouldn't be a voice you necessarily could always hear first - or at all for that matter. LY is the first to come running through the doors each morning. The energy and enthusiasm for everything we did was second to none. LY has no qualms whatsoever in engaging with staff and made an effort to sit and do activities. LY would go into music and play drums, drop into the salon to get her nails done, across to the makerzone to create keyrings, into the gaming room for the Xbox, then double back around for a game on the hockey table. LY has a very wide range of interests and this made it exciting to see her flourish in so many areas. LY only attends regularly in HAF, so she didn't have a friendship group to click into. LY never once complained, asked for help, or needed assistance moulding into a group. LY had bundles of energy and it was a delight to watch her gain new friends and bond independently. By the end of the week, LY was the first voice we would hear, the first YP to volunteer to help in activities, and an allaround delight to have in our HAF sessions.
Case Study- fs
FS was a new member of winter HAF. FS had never been to the Youth Zone before. The morning sessions were a lot quieter as opposed to afternoons, so settling in was a much easier and calmer process. FS was confident, but very much appreciated the extra mile other young people went to for him. The other young people gave FS a tour of the building, and described what we do and what he needed to know. FS integrated well within the morning group and had a keen interest in gaming, as did the other boys in that session. Staff ran a baking activity decorating biscuits and encouraged young people to join. The whole group joined in and this started the chain reaction, rather than retreating to the gaming room, the group of new friends decided to alternate on the pool/hockey table, they sat and enjoyed a movie with ice cream and became a bonded group relatively quickly. FS gave positive feedback to mum on pick-ups, displaying how comfortable and fun Youth Zone was.
Case Study- DE
DE has been a member of B&DYZ for 5 years but has never attended a holiday club. This was his first holiday club, and he has reluctantly admitted he enjoyed himself. He is also proud that ‘I haven’t fussed for the PS5 that much. One time I was playing a game and the juniors were watching me play, and it was a bit weird, but then they asked me to help them on their missions. I liked that the staff didn’t force me to do things and that Zainab was there every day waiting for me’. DE has in the past struggled with new staff and young people, however throughout winter HAF, he managed reasonably well and was even seen explaining things about the Youth Zone to the newer members. He is also an avid gamer, so the fact that he only spent 15 mins per session on gaming is huge for him. He said, ‘I might come to the holiday club next time and I'll come if you have an Xbox with minecraft’.
Case Study- AA
AA usually only attends Diversity sessions on a Monday but has attended every day of Winter HAF. AA was at first apprehensive about not knowing a lot of people, but to the surprise of her parents and staff, AA coped well without her regular peers and could be seen to be supporting some of the younger members. AA has also been learning to regulate her emotions, and where before she wouldn’t tell a staff member, she now is able to calm herself down through staff guidance, and will explain what has happened. AA has shown great resilience by attending every day, whereas in the past she wouldn’t have attended for a few days. AA has been a pleasure to have in HAF, and should be proud of herself.