The Prime Minister, Rt.Hon Rishi Sunak MP, was welcomed to Netherfield on Wednesday 16 August by Gedling’s Conservative Member of Parliament Tom Randall MP. The pair took part in Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF) activities that children were enjoying at Netherfield’s Loco Centre.
Since 2018, the Conservative Government has provided support and activities for children in receipt of free school meals through holiday periods and over £200 million has been invested in the Holiday Activities and Food Programme since 2021. During the visit, Tom said: “I am delighted that the Prime Minister is here in Netherfield to witness the positive impact that the Holiday Activities and Food Programme is having on children and families across Gedling. Not only does the HAF provide a nutritious meal for children during the school holidays, it also provides enrichment activities which many are enjoying here at the Loco Centre.
“The Loco Centre is at the heart of Netherfield’s community and it is great to see a former GP surgery being enjoyed by children and families after being transformed into a fantastic community space thanks to huge community fundraising efforts and Trustee Tina Simpson.”
During the visit, the Prime Minister and Tom Randall MP joined in with children playing table tennis, table football, boxing and arts and crafts.
After his visit, the Prime Minister, Rt.Hon Rishi Sunak MP said: “It was great to visit the Loco Youth Centre in Netherfield and see the Government funded Holiday Activities and Food Programme in action and all the fantastic work Tina and her team are doing.
“HAF is a great example of how the Conservatives are delivering locally for children, families, and communities in Gedling. I know how passionate Tom is about ensuring all children have the best start in life and will keep working hard to build stronger communities and supporting families across Gedling.”
HAF events take place across Nottinghamshire during each school holiday and are coordinated by Nottinghamshire County Council. Its Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Cllr Tracey Taylor, was also part of the visit in Netherfield and said “It was fantastic to welcome the Prime Minister to Nottinghamshire and show him a taste of the opportunities available in the county during the school holidays.
“We know that school holidays can be difficult times for some families who struggle financially, so I am pleased that we are able to provide the free Holiday Activities and Food Programme across Nottinghamshire during the summer holidays. Opportunities like this help to keep children safe, occupied and fed during the school holidays, and make a real difference to the happiness and health of families who might otherwise not have access to holiday activities.
“I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the session at the Loco Centre and seeing the young people having fun. It was wonderful to see in action an example of what’s on offer and the positive impact it has for families.”
Trustee of the Loco Centre, Tina Simpson, said “Amazing to be able to show off our great community facility to the Prime Minister and to host the Government’s Holiday Activity and Food Programme here in Netherfield for our families and children to enjoy.
“Running the programme is certainly hard work. This year for the first time we have had fantastic support from The Pythian Club, Gedling Play Forum, Spotlight Theatre club, Jigsaw Homes and Gedling Borough Council who have worked with the Forum to provide 7 days of fabulous activities for the children of Netherfield. None of this would be possible without the input from the centre staff and volunteers who serve the community in making the HAF programme happen.”
