How Bolsover’s Holiday Clubs Spark Healthy Habits

Bolsover has a high number of low-income households, with many children and young people eligible for benefits-related free school meals.

The It’s About Me programme in Bolsover is a regular event in the local community, and, over the past 5 years, has developed good relationships with many families and their children. Their position in the community has provided valuable insight into the needs of local families and young people.

“Feedback from the children tells us that they enjoy the activities and our new food offer is a big hit with them. Families come along and also join in with the activities.” Bolsover District Council

The holiday programme is seen as a safe and welcoming place for children and young people to spend time, participate in activities which promote their physical and mental health, as well as enjoy healthy and nutritious food.

Sessions offer a variety of sports and physical activities as well as other enrichment activities, including arts & crafts, crazy golf and a healthy eating workshop, including a healthy lunchbox relay and food preparation.

In 2023, Bolsover District Council experienced challenges in encouraging children to not only consume white bread sandwiches, as opposed to healthier alternatives. Therefore, to try and encourage changes in eating habits, staff presented participants with a wide range of alternative breads for them to try, such as pittas, naans, wraps, and sourdough to name a few, which were all well received.

Further development in 2024 saw Bolsover District Council roll out their ‘buffet’ style approach to lunchtime, encouraging children and young people to prepare, present and make their own choices when selecting their lunches. The children also cleaned and tidied away after each session.

For 2025, Bolsover District Council committed to embedding the Hakuna Fruitata project as part of their Easter holiday club. The young people were encouraged to participate in food preparation, cutting and chopping fruit and vegetables, increasing their exposure to different foods and tastes.

“Hakuna Fruitata has broadened our food offer, given staff additional skills and resources to use with the children and enhanced our holiday club provision. This summer we purchased an air fryer and offered children the option to make their own toasties, pizza wraps and pitta pizzas.” Bolsover District Council

By giving children and young people choices in what they choose, they are given the opportunity to practice what they have learnt whilst still under the guidance of the holiday club team.

“The Hakuna Fruitata programme helped us to creatively address some of the healthy eating challenges we had experienced within the club. It has broadened our food offer and given staff additional skills and resources to use with the children and enhanced our holiday offer.” Bolsover District Council