Introduction

Our not for profit organisation Anytime-Childcare CIC ( Bubbles & Smiles), is an out-of-school holiday and activities club established since 2016. The club is managed by 90% volunteer staff and supports more than 200 children between the age of 5-11yrs old.

Since last year we been working tirelessly running the HAF programme (Holiday, activities and food programme) and we are very pleased with the overwhelming support we have received from parents and the local community.

The HAF Programme.

The HAF programme (Holiday, activities and food programme) is a project funded by the Department of Education for all children across UK who receive free school meals. The main objective is to encourage children to take part in physical activities and food education workshops organised in an enticing way for at least 16 hours per child during school holidays.

The programme's aims and objectives are to improve physical and mental health, emotional and wellbeing of children post covid-19, by providing enriching sports and physical exercises that increase children's heart rate and to provide delicious healthy meals and snacks each day.

The positive impact of our HAF programme has uplifted many children's energy and spirits, effectively providing them with a positive outlook to life, boosting confidence, fostering behavioural change, improving attitudes and prospects of leading healthier active lifestyles and mindset, which has been a wonderful all new experience for the children and well received by the parents.

Grow your own food children's project.

Therefore, in preparation to continue the HAF programme when the funding comes to an end, we have started a "grow your own food children's project".  A project that will continue to engage children both socially and actively, in a secure and safe environment where they can learn, play and grow.

The former but now closed-down Albany bowling green and adjacent allotments within the Albany park in Enfield is the ideal location suitable for our "grow your own food children's project."  Located within the Albany park, the facilities boasts large gardening allotments, large bowling outdoor green, cafeteria, changing rooms, washrooms and workshop rooms making it a perfect place not only for the children activities, but also to prepare healthy tasty food during holidays for children in receipt of free school meals. Notably, this food will be produced from the allotments through this noble self-sufficient environmental friendly project.

However, The problem hindering our project progression is the refusal by the local Enfield park-activities team who have adamantly refused to discuss with us on how we could lease this  idle, dis-used premises for more than six years, hence the reason for this petition. We have send dozens of emails and copied to six local councillors who have not replied and the park-activities responses if any have been very vague. 

Conclusion

“Grow your own food children’s project” is in line with the government agenda of getting children to be more active, socially engaged and healthier in the community, alleviating loneliness, isolation, reducing truancy and crime.

We are humbled in appealing to the Prime Minister Mr. Boris Johnson and all named people in authority to kindly request Enfield parks-activities department to lease the closed down former Albany bowling green and allotments to us, to utilize it for our children's long-life-skills acquisition and benefits.