The Gateshead HAF Plus programme
Background
We identified an absence of teenage involvement with the mainstream HAF programme in early 2022. Examining this absence of engagement from this important age group was seen as a major driver for the Gateshead HAF programme. Talking to HAF Leads across England in early 2022, it became clear that this was not just a Gateshead problem, it was a national problem within most of the HAF programmes in England.
Having worked closely with Professor Greta Defeyter, Professor of Developmental Psychology at Northumbria University, previously on several other successful mainstream HAF projects, we turned to Professor Defeyter and her remarkable academic team. We were confident that their innovative approach would support Gateshead Council in the development, design and delivery of a new HAF Plus programme for Gateshead.
Greta and her team developed a design sprint model that involved working closely with teenagers from Gateshead and key adult stakeholders they began to co-design a very distinctive HAF Plus programme for teenagers. Supported by Gateshead Council, NUFC Foundation and the Gateshead Youth Assembly, the team began working on planning this inspirational work. During the autumn and winter of 2022, the young people, supported by these key anchor institutions, co-designed a HAF Plus model for Gateshead. The young people involved were invited to present this new innovative HAF Plus model to the Department for Education in October 2022.
HAF Plus 2024
In 2024, we further enhanced the HAF Plus programme, working with Nebula Labs, a small Gateshead-based technology company, to develop a mobile app. This app was designed to allow young people to book onto activities of their choice over the school holidays. The HAF Plus app was first used over the Summer holiday period, 2024, and assisted us in delivering yet another successful Summer HAF Plus programme. In 2025, we plan to work with Nebula Labs once again to deliver the HAF Plus programme over the Summer.
Analysis of the HAF Plus programme 2024 was undertaken by Dr. Emily Round of Northumbria University, Newcastle. You can visit Northumbria University's website (opens new window) to get the full report, but here are some highlights and quotes:
The young people who participated in HAF Plus noted that they enjoyed the food element of the programme. Young people were provided with free food vouchers, allowing them to choose from a variety of establishments including Grounded Kitchen, Subway and Greggs.
"I loved Grounded Kitchen with all my heart and soul."
Providing young people with travel passes also proved very successful, allowing them to travel to and from activities, and giving them a sense of independence.
"Having your bus fare paid for already and stuff and not having to worry about the money made it so much easier to go out with friends, because you were like 'ah I've got this I don't need to worry about having the money for it'. I didn't need to worry about my Pop Card if I'd lost that or something. It just made it a lot simpler."
The HAF Plus app, developed in partnership with Nebula Labs, proved important to the success of the programme - it allowed young people to make and cancel registrations to clubs themselves.
"Well, most people have phones and its easier than all going to the Metro Centre and signing up on bits of paper and then it makes it easier to cancel. Yeah, and then you've always got your phone on you so it's convenient."
Once again in 2024, with guidance and support from Greta's academic team, NUcastle Foundation and Gateshead Council, the young people involved managed their own independent programme of activities, making their own decisions on what activities to engage or attend. The programme was based in the Metrocentre's Community HUB.
Activities included:
- stottie making with Big River Bakery
- HAF Plus university day, including cooking classes, sport and meet an Olympian
- risograph printing at the Baltic Gateshead
- gaming design with Protégé
- hair and beauty with Gateshead College
- DJing with Gateshead College
- cinema
- adventure golf
- 10 pin bowling
- football at Newcastle United Foundation
- social Forestry at Gibside National Trust
- swimming at 3 Go Gateshead Venues
In August 2025, we plan to hold a day of celebration for HAF Plus at Northumbria University, led by the young people who have taken part in HAF Plus since it debuted. The event will have a range of fun-filled activities on offer, utilising Northumbria University's state-of-the art facilities, as well as a range of speakers.