AiCC designs and delivers a successful HAF programme that engages TEENS and caters for wide-range of SEND needs and learning styles.

The Department for Education (DfE) funds the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme to provides free, healthy meals and enriching activities for eligible children (typically aged 5-16 receiving benefits-related free school meals) during Easter, Summer, and Christmas holidays.

Over the winter 2025 holiday, AiCC delivered ‘SoapOcracy HAF Club’ in Redbridge, north east London, as a unique and exciting holiday programme to meet the exacting demands of 11-16 year olds.

Seeking to design a provision suitable for independent thinkers, creative and neurodiverse learners and those who struggle in traditional academic environments, we aimed to increase learner motivation and engagement, deepen understanding, develop stronger problem-solving skills and build self-confidence. Our goal was to create a unique learning programme that would cater for all learning styles and be guided by the needs of each individual child; those using mess, chaos and interaction with others, as well as those needing hours of quiet, focused exploration and attention by themselves.

We decided to use SoapOcracy, our make-you-own natural bodycare experience, as a Club that would empower young people to have fun, develop friendships, make money and be healthy, social and eco-conscious. We worked with AiCC Youth ChangeMakers, our team of young social entrepreneurs aged 11 to 18, to co-design a suitable programme; adding green education and physical, mental wellbeing and enterprise workshops to the main handcrafting activity. On the last day of the Club, we organised a New Year’s party. Opening our doors to more children and young people, there was a disco, bodycare making, party games, glow sticks, festive snacks making, fake tattoos and a photo booth to create fun memories.

Some of our Youth ChangeMakers undertook intensive trained and got DBS-checked so that they could also help deliver the Club. A s volunteers, they played a huge role in creating its fun and friendly atmosphere; helping deliver workshops, leading energetic team games, providing the ‘Big Buddy’ pastoral-support, eating with the children and encouraging them to work and play together.

We received great feedback from parents and children about our HAF Club:

“I enjoyed making the edible lips scrub! It tastes delicious”
“The club was really fun, I enjoyed the activities”.
“Both girls (8 & 14 years) had a wonderful time. 14 yr old said she made friends and had a lot of fun”.

We are currently looking for funding to deliver HAF – or similar activities – for more children and young people across London.