Ryan Singh Baines, aged 14, has been attending Derby County Community Trust’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme for the past two years, joining sessions during the school holidays and becoming a regular at the programme.

He first attended during the summer of 2025 at CODA before returning the following year at Arboretum Park. Since then, he has continued to take part in a range of activities, with football his favourite. 

When asked what he enjoys most about coming to HAF, Ryan said: “Probably football.” But for him, it is about more than just sport. He also enjoys meeting new people, making friends and spending time with other children, explaining: “I’ve enjoyed meeting new people and just seeing how I can talk to people and have fun.”

For Ryan, HAF also gives him something positive to focus on during the holidays. “I feel like HAF is something to get my mind off things and not stress.”

His mum, Satwinder, first heard about HAF through an email from Ryan’s school. She began booking him onto sessions after seeing how much he enjoyed taking part.

For Satwinder, HAF is a chance for Ryan to stay active and spend less time at home on his phone. “I like to get him away from the mobile a little bit. That’s why I try to bring him.”

She says Ryan now looks forward to the holidays and checks in advance to see when he can attend. The activities have also encouraged the family to spend more time being active together, with Satwinder playing basketball and tennis with him at the park.

Satwinder has noticed a difference in Ryan since he started attending HAF, particularly in his confidence and happiness. She said: “He’s confident. He’s happy. He moves better.”

She says Ryan was previously quite shy around other people but has become more comfortable talking to others since joining the programme: “He’s much more confident now.”

Building friendships has been a big part of that. Ryan says he enjoys getting to know other children, while his mum has seen him become more willing to engage with people and tell her about the activities he has been taking part in.

The relationship Ryan has built with the HAF staff has also been important. He says he enjoys talking to them and feels comfortable around them, describing his relationship with staff as “really good” and saying they are “nice to speak to”.

For Satwinder, knowing Ryan is in a welcoming environment with staff she trusts is just as important. She says the team are friendly and understand how to work with children, which gives her confidence when she leaves him at sessions: “They know how to talk to the children, and that’s why I trust them.”

Alongside playing football, Ryan has had the opportunity to try different sports and activities, stay active and spend time with the friends he has made through HAF. When asked to describe the experience in three words, he said: “fun, enjoyable and unique”.

Satwinder would encourage other families to take part to get their child involved in HAF too, saying: “I think every parent should do this for their child.”

HAF provides free school holiday activity sessions for children who receive benefits-related free school meals. Running throughout the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays, the programme helps children stay active and engaged during the school break while also providing them with a healthy meal.