AfSM is a partner organisation in the Holiday Activity and Food Programme in this region. The programme aims to support children in receipt of free school meals to access food and enriching activity during the summer holidays. You can read more about the main HAF Suffolk Programme here.
In Easter 2023, HAF activities were offered at Bury St Edmunds Guildhall. This summer, they are being offered at the National Horseracing Museum, the Food Museum and The Red House.
In 2022, the HAF Programme took place across the same three museum sites – The Red House, the National Horseracing Museum and the Food Museum (formerly Museum of East Anglian Life) – and at Suffolk Archives in Ipswich.
Click below to watch the HAF Film made at The Food Museum.
Background
The offer has traditionally been a Sports offer but in 2021 it was extended to include arts and cultural organisations as a pilot. The DfEE funding, supported by Suffolk County Council allowed the Museum of East Anglian Life and West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village to work with partners to develop and deliver pilot programmes in the region. The museum pilots also looked at whether tickets for the workshops could be sold commercially.
HAF at West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village
West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village worked with Explore Outdoor to provide ‘Terrible Tales’. The activity centred on the museum’s collections and trails, introducing the children to the site and the museum objects. Lunch was provided by a mobile pizza van who allowed the children to design their own pizza’s which they enjoyed. The children had the opportunity to try their hand at Archery in the afternoon and Explore Outdoor supported with additional activities. Over the 4 sessions there were 54 children in receipt of free school meals catered for.
HAF at Museum of East Anglian Life
The Museum of East Anglian Life worked with Abbeycroft Leisure and ‘Chefs in Schools’ to offer ‘Thrills and Grills’. The activity centred on cooking from scratch and used the outdoor wood oven. The second half of the day used the Museum’s extensive grounds for activities like stomp rockets and orienteering. According to one foster carer it gave their children opportunities to do activities ‘that we just never would have done with them’. The foster mother said that the children visibly grew in confidence and wanted to volunteer at the museum when they got older. The museum provided food and activity for 248 children in receipt of free school meals and sold 38 tickets.
There are plans to learn the lessons from the pilot sessions and develop the programme more fully next year. If any museums would like to take part please contact museums@suffolk.gov.uk
