An initiative to tackle food poverty, deprivation and social inequalities for thousands of young people and their families in Tameside is set to extend and expand, thanks to additional government funding.

Fuel 4 Fun or HAF (Holiday Activity Fund), run in partnership between Active Tameside and Tameside Council, was initially launched as a 12-month programme in March last year to support families on benefit-related free school meals and prevent holiday hunger across the borough.

But due to its impressive young people engagement rates, extensive food rollout programme and public purse savings so far, the government has agreed to fund it for another year with the potential for an additional two years.

The initiative is one of the most effective schemes of its kind nationally following an evaluation by Childcare Works, a Department for Education funded programme which supports the delivery of HAF.

Fuel 4 Fun Family Food Box preparation

Fuel 4 Fun has so far engaged 31,425 five to 13-year-olds, including young people with complex needs and disabilities, in free school holiday activity across Active Tameside centres, sports clubs, partner schools and youth organisations, offering a packed timetable of activities and sporting opportunities, five days a week.

It’s also provided 4,935 families with food boxes containing menu cards, cooking instructions and enough fresh and nutritious ingredients to feed a family of four, up to five nights a week to those most in need, delivering a staggering 24,675 meals so far.

Feedback from the young people and families involved has been fantastic.

Jacob, aged six, who recently attended holiday camps at Active Ken Ward, in Hattersley, said: “I really enjoy coming on these camps. I get to see my friends and do cool activities I wouldn’t normally do. I even got to hold a snake!”

A parent commented: “I love it when my children get the opportunity to come on these camps. It keeps them busy, allows them to do things I can’t always afford, and the food hampers are amazing.

“I’m cooking and trying new things each night and the children are getting involved too.” 

Fuel4Fun Holiday Camp - Archery Activity

Thanks to Covid relief funding secured in partnership with Tameside Council, it provided an additional 4,525 places for children to attend holiday camps during lockdown and provide 1,325 food boxes.

The scheme’s Great Christmas Takeaway initiative whipped up and doorstep delivered 750 hot meals in December and February half term will see 5,400 young people attend holiday camps and receive cook-at-home hampers.

The Fuel 4 Fun team are also celebrating gaining a coveted 5-star public health rating for achieving the highest levels of hygiene and cleanliness at its food warehouse in Dukinfield which is vital to the preparation and distribution of its food boxes and in supplying healthy snacks and lunches to the sports camps.

Alongside continuing to roll out its holiday and food provision Fuel 4 Fun is set to expand its outreach work this year by developing youth intervention with external partners including the youth offending team.

A community HUB in the heart of Stalybridge is currently being set up to reach into the heart of its communities through offering young people’s mental health and wellbeing services, health and nutrition education, sporting activities and family cook sessions.

There are also plans for Tameside’s first ever young people’s music festival, Tameside Rocks, which is set to bring local musicians together on 30 and 31 July at Active Ken Ward.

Fuel 4 Fun Holiday Camp at AT Community Allotments

Active Tameside’s Head of Health and Social Outcomes Dan Higgins said: “I am very proud of the success of the Fuel 4 Fun project which also includes initiatives such as the Tier 2 Weight Management program.

“The impact the scheme has had on Tameside families has been tremendous, tackling food poverty alongside increasing physical activity rates among young people and their families and removing barriers to engagement by creating free access through holiday camps.

“It’s been great to see how social skills and life skills have develop through the camps. Another huge benefit of the programme has been the opportunity to provide paid employment for young people from different backgrounds, including SEND and the cared for system.

“I am excited about what the future holds for Fuel 4 Fun, especially with the news of funding for an additional two years which has allowed us to plan a number of additional programmes and activities including Tameside Rocks. This a key part of the vision we have for the scheme.

“We’re delighted to have obtained a 5-star food hygiene rating which provides further reassurance that the protocols we have in place are fit for purpose and I’d like to thank Tameside Council for its support here. Without them allowing us to use one of their warehouses, the food element of Fuel 4 Fun wouldn’t be possible.”

Councillor Bill Fairfoull, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Children and Families, said: “This has been a hugely successful partnership project with the local authority, schools, Active Tameside and the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector offering high quality opportunities for children, young people and their families.

“The continuation of the funding has now enabled us to build upon this and extend further for families in Tameside.

“Both the opportunity to engage in physical and nutritional opportunities has really enhanced experiences and healthy lifestyles for all. I am really excited about how we are going to develop this fantastic partnership over the next two years and deliver high quality opportunities to all our children and families.”  

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