More than 100 holiday camps including activities and workshops around subjects such as healthy eating have been organised by Wolves Foundation over the last year as part of the Feed Our Pack project aimed at reducing the effects of poverty caused by the pandemic.
More than 600 children have attended Feed Our Pack holiday camps at different primary schools which combine exercise and advice with providing free, nutritional meals for both breakfast and lunch.
Holiday activities form just one part of many different strands of support generated by Feed Our Pack, also including providing food banks with extra supplies of produce to pass on to the local community and the regular distribution of food parcels.
More than 200 laptops and tablets have also been distributed to participants on Foundation projects to allow them to stay connected at home, which was particularly important during lockdown periods.
“As a Foundation we are firmly committed to trying to improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of people of all ages in the local community, so being able to direct part of the investment from Feed Our Pack into a regular programme of holiday activities is vitally important,” says Rachel Smith, health & wellbeing manager with Wolves Foundation.
“Given the various restrictions which have been in place at different times over the last two years because of the pandemic, the need to try and keep young people active has never been more important than it is now.
“We know that it has been a really challenging time for a lot of families, both in terms of trying to alleviate the impact of the pandemic relating to food poverty, but also in keeping children focused and active when their normal routines have been so seriously affected.
“For Foundation staff to be able to go into schools and deliver these activities and workshops, alongside healthy and nutritious food, has been a real benefit to the pupils and we have seen from how the sessions are received and the subsequent feedback that it has made a really positive impact across the city.”
One session including a workshop around nutrition, healthy living and cooking which took place at Fallings Park Primary School included a visit from MP and Government Minister Vicky Ford, who at that time was the Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Department of Education.
“It is absolutely fantastic to see so many children having a really great time,” she said during the visit.
“I have been talking to them about what they would have been doing if they weren’t here, and for most it would be sitting on a computer or an Xbox and being on their own.
“Exercise and taking part in different activities is so important both physically and mentally, and we know that when children take part in activities in the summer holidays it gives them more confidence and they are more ready to learn when they come back to school.
“This initiative also makes sure children have access to healthy meals, as well as giving the family much needed childcare if they need to carry on working during the school holidays.”
Fallings Park also offers a great example of how Feed Our Pack can overlap in terms of its operation as the school held a fundraising day and raised an incredible £12,000 to be invested back into the project.
This forms of total in excess of £80,000 so far raised by Wolves supporters to add to the initial £500,000 investment from the Premier League and PFA Community Fund and former head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Another school which has benefitted not just from holiday activities but also food parcels has been Merridale Primary.
“Wolves have supported our school community over the past year with food parcels and activity events during the school holidays,” said acting headteacher, Laura Towle.
“The communication between the team has been excellent and our families have greatly appreciated the support given at such a challenging time.
“Our school works hard to support disadvantaged families and this has been enhanced by the work and support that Wolves has provided.
“We look forward to continuing to develop this link and work together for our community.”
As well as holiday activities Feed Our Pack also distributed over 20,000 activity packs for children featuring resources, games and cooking ideas and tips to try at home. The project has also given out over 300 Wolves kits over the last 12 months.
- If you would like to support Feed Our Pack, you can make a food donation on a matchday at the Fan Park on the Wanderer Car Park from two-and-a-half hours before kick-off. Or you can make any financial donations at the Just Giving page here. As an example, a donation of £20 provides a child on a holiday camp with breakfast and lunch for a week.
NEXT WEEK: FEED OUR PACK’S IMPACT ON LOCAL FOODBANKS
