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The school holidays should be a time of excitement and exploration, yet for many families across the county, they often bring the added pressures of food insecurity and social isolation. To combat this, Nottingham Forest Community Trust (NFCT) recently joined forces with Nottinghamshire County Council and Matthews & Tannert to deliver a transformative Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme.

This collaboration represents a powerful model of how public, private, and third-sector organisations can unite to provide a vital safety net while creating unforgettable experiences for young people.

The programme was designed to remove every barrier to participation. From fully funded places and door-to-door transport to nutritious daily meals, the initiative ensured that inclusion was at the heart of the delivery.

The young people involved enjoyed a diverse itinerary that promoted physical health, mental wellbeing, and social confidence, including:

• – A Behind-the-Scenes Stadium Tour at the historic City Ground.
• – Ice Skating at the National Ice Arena.
• – Adventure Golf and Disco Bowling, providing fun, high-energy social environments.

The initiative was sparked by a shared vision to tackle holiday hunger and inequality through place-based action.

Maryanne Fitzgerald, Head of Social Value and Partnerships at Matthews & Tannert, highlighted the importance of this collaborative approach:

“We approached the Trust to design and deliver this as a pilot initiative, aligned to our wider Holiday Roots programme and our long-term commitment to tackling holiday hunger, isolation, and inequality in the communities where we work.

Delivered over four days, the programme combined physical activity, enrichment, and confidence-building experiences for young people, including a stadium tour at Nottingham Forest, alongside bowling, adventure golf, and ice skating. Working in partnership with the Trust and HAF partners, we ensured fully funded places, transport, and nutritious meals were in place to remove barriers to participation and support inclusion.

The strong response clearly demonstrates both need and demand for this type of provision and provides strong evidence base for continuation and scaling. This pilot forms an important part of our wider Holiday Roots offer and demonstrates how targeted, place-based collaboration can deliver meaningful social value outcomes for children and families. We look forward to building on this foundation with Nottingham Forest Community Trust and continuing to grow impact through future delivery cycles.”

Tom Norton, Head of Programmes at Nottingham Forest Community Trust, said:

“The success of the County HAF programme is a testament to what can be achieved when we align our mission with partners who share a genuine commitment to community welfare. Working alongside Nottinghamshire County Council and Matthews & Tannert has allowed us to extend our reach far beyond the pitch, ensuring that some of the most vulnerable young people across the county have access to transformative experiences.

HAF is about much more than just a meal; it’s about equity of opportunity. These partnerships are the lifeblood of our county-wide strategy, proving that through collaborative delivery, we can provide a vital safety net and create lasting memories for families who need it most.”

The true success of the programme was seen in the reactions of the participants, many of whom were accessing these venues for the very first time:

“I’ve never been to the City Ground or ice skating before. The stadium tour was the best bit because we got to see where the players go, but I also liked meeting new friends from different schools during the Ice Skating.”

Participant, aged 11

“The lunches were really good, and it was much better than just sitting at home. It kept me busy and active, and I actually felt more confident trying the ice skating even though I was nervous at first!”

Participant, aged 13

The programme’s success has provided a clear roadmap for future delivery. By combining the local authority’s strategic oversight, Matthews & Tannert’s commitment to social value, and the Trust’s delivery expertise, the programme has moved the needle on what holiday provision can look like in Nottinghamshire.

As we look ahead, the goal remains clear: to ensure that no child in our county is left behind during the holidays, and that every young person has the chance to play, learn, and thrive.