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Holiday activities and food programme

Days until our HAF Winter programme

Funded by the Department for Education, our FREE holiday activities and food (HAF) programme has been a huge success, providing healthy food and enriching activities for primary and secondary school-aged children eligible for benefits-related free school meals.

The aim of the HAF programme is to support children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition, as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.

Is my child eligible?

The HAF programme is primarily for children aged 4-18 years who are eligible for and receiving benefits-related free school meals (FSM), and their families. Children who are in receipt of a support plan via Early Help, Child In Need or Children We Look After, EHCP, or if your child receives additional hours at school then you are also eligible for the HAF programme.

Please note that not all activity providers will be able to accommodate the full age range of the programme. Please check with the provider what age group is appropriate to their activity.

How do we access the programme?

To access the programme, simply book a place through one of the providers we list. Please note that booking details differ depending on each provider.

How do I know my children are in a COVID-secure provision?

COVID risk assessments for all HAF activities have been completed and quality assured. These will continue to be updated as national and local government guidance changes. We also have contingency plans in place to deliver activities through alternative venues or formats in the unlikely event that they cannot operate safely. 

Do you have provision for children with SEND?

We have SEND specific and SEND accessible activities for children across the programme. Look out for this key guide:

SS - SEND Specific: solely for children and young people with SEND and their families.

S - SEND Friendly: venue or event where providers have general SEND awareness and small adjustments can be made. 

SA - SEND Accessible: physically accessible venue or event.

F - Family Friendly: accessible for all families.

 

HAF Winter Programme

The next HAF programme will take place between 27th December 2023 and 5th January 2024.

Further information on activities will be published in due course.

 

Take a look at all the fun sessions that have took place during our summer 2023 programme.

A child making a pizza at a mini chefs session at Central Link Children's Centre
Two children wearing Saints shirts stand in front of a hose and two knights
A young person wearing a hat and UV paint on their face
Two children and two adults stand in front of the sign to Zog Playland
A child mixes dough in a bowl
A child making a pizza at a mini chefs session at Central Link Children's Centre
A child making a biodegradable keyring at a HAF session at Chester Lane Library
A child making a pizza at a mini chefs session at Central Link Children's Centre
A child making a fruit kebab at a mini chefs session at Central Link Children's Centre
A child making a pizza at a mini chefs session at Central Link Children's Centre
Two children "locked" in stocks
A tote bag with the words 'Bee Happy' and a bee drawn on in colourful paint

HAF funded by DfE