School Holiday Enrichment Programme (SHEP)
What is SHEP?
The SHEP is a school-based programme that provides healthy meals, food and nutrition education, physical activity and enrichment sessions to children in areas of social deprivation during the summer holidays. ‘Food and Fun’ is the brand identity used at a local level to promote the clubs to children and families.
Working Together Food and Fun - Click here
In 2016 the WLGA piloted the SHEP model nationally in 10 schools, working with 5 local authorities and 3 local health boards. Cardiff University provided the evaluation and recommended ‘Further scaling up of the model to understand the educational and health benefits to children and their families in different contexts.’ The Welsh Government part funded the programme in 2017 to 38 clubs in 12 local authorities and all 7 local health boards. Continued Welsh Government funding has enabled the programme to grow to 77 schemes in 21 local authorities offering nearly 4,000 places to pupils in 2019.
To see the schools involved click here
Why is SHEP needed?
During the school holidays, when Free Breakfast in Primary Schools and Free School Meals are not available, some families struggle to afford or access food that provides a healthy diet. Some children also experience social isolation and a lack of intellectual stimulation, normally provided by school or family enrichment activities, and this may contribute to widening the attainment gap.
What are the main benefits of SHEP?
The clubs make children more active
Improvements in children’s diets
Making new friends and having fun
Learning and engagement with school
Helps parents meet the costs of school holidays
Improving parents’ health and well-being
Parents learn new skills
Involves the whole family
Facilitates collaboration between agencies
Involves children in decision making
Makes better use of existing facilities
Encourages community engagement
Offers paid and voluntary employmen
Signposts to other service
How can I find out more?
The SHEP has received attention from numerous politicians, councillors, local authorities, local health boards, head teachers, school governors, agencies and parents. For more information see Miss Martin in school.