The Watershed delivers creative workshops as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, providing children and young people with opportunities to participate in enriching activities during the school holidays.
The HAF programme is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) and delivered locally through Kirklees Council. It aims to support eligible children and families during the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays by providing access to engaging activities, healthy food and opportunities to socialise, learn new skills and maintain positive routines outside term time.
The programme is primarily aimed at children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Through funded holiday provision, these children can access structured activities and meals during school holidays. Additional provision may be available for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), as well as those in other eligible support categories, depending on local funding arrangements and eligibility criteria.
Alongside the funded provision, paid places are available at The Watershed for families who wish to access the activities but do not qualify for a funded place.
The Watershed’s HAF provision focuses on creativity, arts and practical learning. Each session provides four hours of organised activities, with a healthy meal included.
The programme offers a varied range of creative experiences, enabling participants to explore different interests, develop practical skills and work collaboratively with others. Activities vary between holiday programmes but can include:
- Drama and storytelling: Developing characters, exploring stories and creating performances.
- Songwriting and music technology: Writing original songs, experimenting with sound and learning about music production.
- Music-making: Playing in a band, exploring rhythm and having opportunities to learn a new instrument.
- Cooking and making: Taking part in practical, hands-on activities involving food preparation, craft and creative construction.
- Stand-up comedy: Developing jokes, exploring comic timing and creating humorous sketches.
- Play in 4 Days: Working collaboratively to devise, rehearse and perform a short theatrical production over four days.
- Performance showcases: Sharing creative work through performances.
The activities are designed to accommodate a range of interests and experience levels. Children can try unfamiliar activities, develop existing skills and contribute to group projects in a supportive environment.
HAF workshops take place during the Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays. Each programme has its own themes and activities, reflecting the interests of participants and the creative projects planned for that period.
This variety allows children to experience different art forms and creative processes across the year, with opportunities to develop confidence, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.
The HAF programme aims to reduce barriers to participation by providing funded places for eligible children. At The Watershed, additional funded places may be available for children with SEND and those in other eligible support categories, subject to the relevant criteria and availability.
Families can contact the team to discuss access requirements and the support a child may need to participate. Paid places are also available, extending access to the creative programme to families who are not eligible for funded provision.
For information about upcoming HAF workshops at The Watershed, eligibility for funded places, booking arrangements or support for children with additional needs, please contact the Switch On team.
Email: switchondrama@gmail.com
