Holidays Are Fun annual report 2023 to 2024

Background: O struggles with his emotions - anger in particular. O displays disruptive behaviour in school which impacts on his learning. O has disclosed historic allegations relating to neglect, emotional abuse and witnessing domestic violence.

O has been engaging with a school support worker around some of the issues impacting his attendance and learning. After building a relationship with O, the school support worker encouraged O to attend HAF, giving him information on a range of available provisions. O decided he would like to try martial arts and attended a provision during school holidays with support from his worker for the first session.

Voice of the child

"It wasn't what I expected. I was really nervous when I walked in, but the staff made me feel really comfortable, they were really nice. I enjoyed learning new stances. It was very laid back which I liked but there were also expectations around our behaviour, for example we weren't allowed to be disrespectful or swear. I have decided to continue the sessions outside of HAF. At the moment I am doing two sessions per week but plan to increase it to five days when the rugby season is over. The other day I had a bad day at school and was feeling really angry, by the time my session ended I had forgotten all about it, when I go there I just feel calm. If I hadn't gone there, I would have just stayed in bed all holidays, I'm really glad I went." 

Feedback from school

School have said that O has been speaking positively about the HAF provider and their other classes and has been trying to encourage his peers to attend. School have seen a positive change to O's emotional wellbeing and resilience and the school support worker confirms he is much happier and confident in himself.