Winter HAF: Meal and Activities for Families
3rd January 2025 @ 10:30 am - 2:30 pm
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A quick rundown…
What is happening? 2 course meal, crafts and active games: all free.
When? 10.30am – 2.30pm on Friday 3 January 2024
Where? Heron School Jubilee Hall, Heron Way, Abbeydale, GL4 4BN
For? Children of any age accompanied by their parent(s). Free (whether or not your children are eligible for Free School Meals) – but you must book in advance. We feed parents/carers too, so please let us know who is coming/any allergies.
Run by Neighbourhood Chaplains of Abbey Church CIO.
More details
Timing
We hope that you will stay for the whole time so you won’t miss any of it, but if you can only come for the meal, it will be served around 12.45pm.
| 10.30am Arrive and register; you will be given a wristband (blue wristband if you have any allergies or dietary requirements, to remind our volunteers who are serving to double-check that you are receiving the correct plate).
Choose from outdoor games on the playground (weather-permitting) and/or one or more of our “New Begininng” indoor crafts, with our volunteers:- 1. Calendar with your handprint; 2. Fabric butterfly in a cocoon; 3. Make a “Wise Man”! 4. Snowflake – folding and cutting a symmetrical shape There will be an area for babies and toddlers to play with toys. Once we have cleared away crafts and had a fruit snack (with tea/coffee for parents) there will be: – Simple dance moves/Actions to music indoors, using “Go Noodle” videos (not compulsory – but loads of fun!) – “Open the Book” – style Bible story: you can choose to join in! After lunch, we will have active Party games suitable for families in the Main Hall. |
After lunch, there will be a variety of party games to enjoy.
There will be a quiet room available for mothers who need to sit and feed babies or to take children who may need a few moments’ peace.
Lunch
We have a small team cooking a 2-course meal:
(1) To Be Confirmed
(2) Apple Crumble
We will provide dairy/gluten-free and vegan ingredients for the above meal as appropriate.
If you are concerned that this will not provide adequate nutrition for children with SEND or allergies, please visit https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/children-and-young-people-with-send
It is essential to let us know when you sign up if you have any special dietary requirements so that we ensure everyone enjoys the meal and stays safe.
Is it really for the whole family?
Yes!
- Although we have several experienced volunteers organising crafts and games (and we know that some parents may have their hands full with babies), we would have to limit the numbers of children and age range too restrictively if we invite unaccompanied children. We hope that at least some parents will want to join in making crafts and playing games!
- We aim for a families to sit down together for a relaxed lunch
How do I get to Heron School Jubilee Hall?
There are safe walking and cycling routes to Heron (and bike/scooter racks), the number 2 bus runs along Heron Way, or there is car parking inside Heron gates (please follow the signposted one-way system, turning into the gates furthest from Morrisons).
The Jubilee Hall entrance door will be signposted
What about access?
The building is accessible to those with mobility problems – there are no steps – and there are disabled-access toilets by the Jubilee Hall.
We aim to welcome children with SEND, so please contact us if you have any concerns.
Do I need to sign up everyone in the family who is coming, or just my child?
We really need to know exactly who is coming e.g school children, younger siblings, one or both parents/carers, and their dietary requirements, so that we can ensure that there is enough food, seating and craft materials. If you have any problems with signing up adults as well as children as Participants or you feel we need information that does not fit in the sign up process, please contact us on the details below.
We aim to welcome and respect families from all backgrounds.
If you have any queries regarding the location, activities or food, please do not hesitate to contact Abby on 07788 110602 / Office@abbeychurch.net.
booking via the Gloucestershire County Council website:
For families with children registered for income-related Free School Meals: Family Meal & Activities with Abbey Church (HAF – for families eligible for Free School Meals) | Gloucester City District
for families with children not registered for income-related Free School Meals:
If you would like to know more about Abbey Church Neighbourhood Chaplains, then there is more information here:
