Active Cornwall Time2Move Holiday Programme provider wins national award

A Cornish activity provider has celebrated success in the House of Commons after winning a national award for their work with children in the county.

Liam Dart and his team from LJD Coaching were nominated by the Active Cornwall Time2Move Holiday Programme team for their exceptional partnerships with schools, Town Councils and businesses in the Bude/Stratton area.

The Time2Move Holiday Programme (known nationally as the Holiday Activity and Food Programme) supports families during school holidays with fun activities, healthy food and physical activity. The Active Cornwall team bring together providers across Cornwall who put on a wide range of activities and sports that are fully funded for those eligible for benefits related free school meals.

Lewis Sanders, Development Officer for Children, Young People and Families at Active Cornwall, who leads on the Time2Move Holiday Programme, said: “The work that Liam and his team at LJD Coaching have done with their local Town Council is exemplary, and their focus on inclusivity, particularly for children in care and those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), really stands out. We were delighted to submit this nomination and are so thrilled they have won the national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Award!”

Hundreds of activity providers across the country were put forward by various Local Authorities for the regional stages of the awards. After winning the South West regional award, Liam attended the national HAF Awards at the House of Commons in London on 28th November accompanied by members of his team and Lewis, together with his colleague Kellie Budge who helps to coordinate the Active Cornwall Time2Move Holiday Programme.

The national awards were presented by Stephen Morgan MP and Department for Education Minister for Early Education, recognising LJD Coaching’s outstanding contribution in addressing rural isolation, supporting families during the cost-of-living crisis, and providing inclusive and innovative holiday activities for vulnerable groups.

Liam said: “We were honoured to be nominated and to win the regional award for Cornwall was fantastic, but to go on and win the national award is absolutely amazing. It took us completely by surprise and is credit to our partnership with Active Cornwall and our tremendous team of staff and community partners, without whom we couldn’t run such a successful programme. We are all so passionate about being inclusive and providing opportunities for children of all abilities and disabilities to access our activities. We are thrilled with how successful our HAF programme has been and the difference we’re able to make.”

School holidays can bring particular challenges for families on lower incomes, and as such children can face triple inequalities of social isolation, poor diet and low levels of physical activity over the holiday periods.

The Time2Move Holiday Programme, funded by The Department for Education, is now in its fourth year and is open to anyone aged 5-16 years. During Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays, activities such as multi-sports, circus skills, dance, surfing, crafts, yoga and much more are available, fully funded to those on benefits-related free school meals. Each session also includes a healthy meal.

Lewis explains: “Our programme endeavours to be as inclusive as possible and provides specialist SEND support so that more children can access provision. Those not eligible for funding are welcome to book and attend but are asked to pay a small fee. In Bude/Stratton Liam’s team have developed a partnership with the Town Council who heavily subsidise the cost for local families experiencing hardship but whose children are not eligible for free school meals.

The LJD team also works with local supermarkets and catering outlets to offer healthy food during their activities. They have been working directly with families to help them to learn how to cook hot healthy meals, providing recipe cards with affordable ingredients.

Specialist SEND support is offered for children requiring 1:1 and 2:1 support, and by working with schools LJD Coaching utilises teaching assistants out of term time, providing additional income for those in a sector known for low pay”.

The initiative’s impact has been immense, with other towns now looking to replicate Bude’s model. Bude-Stratton Town Council commented on the achievement, saying: “We are thrilled to see LJD Coaching’s hard work and dedication recognised at the highest level. This programme is a shining example of what can be achieved through community collaboration and support, and we are proud to have played a part in making it possible.”

The provision offered by Liam’s team has also been commended by social workers and parents:

Steve Badham is a social worker for Cornwall Council and said: “I have always found our working relationship with Liam and his team has been exemplary. Sometimes we work within crisis and complex situations, and they always support us, and most importantly the families and young people, to have the best outcomes.”

Helen Wheeler’s son Thomas has Down Syndrome, and she said: “The Time2Move Holiday Programme, under the guidance of the LJD Coaching team, has proven to be truly inclusive. We have witnessed first-hand the commitment to creating an environment where all children, regardless of their abilities or disabilities, can actively participate and enjoy the activities.”

The other nominated activity providers who successfully made the South West shortlist in the national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Awards were KBSK from Bodmin, Kesoberi CIC/Penzance and Newlyn Youth Project.