Holiday activities and food programme

Days until our HAF Winter programme begins

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

The aim of the programme is to:

• support children to eat healthier and be more active over the school holidays
• give children a greater knowledge of health and nutrition
• enable children to become more engaged with school and other local services.

A selection of photographs from our Summer 2025 HAF Provider Activities.

Air Nation - Children enjoying physical activities supporting balance and co-ordination, social development and having fun. 

 

ComputerXplorers - Children and young people participating in computer led activities which include problem solving and development of creative skills. 

 

Digital Arts Box CIC - Children and young people learning how to code and to be creative with technology. 

 

Everton in the Community - SEND children and young people enjoying games, socialisation, crafts and team building activities. 

 

Friends Play - SEND children and young people enjoying fun crafts and activities, learning about animals and science and enjoying physical activities. 

 

Green Town St Helens - Children learning about bio-diversity and nature and creating their own mini biomes for insects to thrive in. 

 

Kids Activities and Bootcamps - Children participating in team building games developing their social skills, learning how to be creative with crafts and taking part in fun physical games. 

 

Learn Active NW - Children enjoying physical activities developing their fitness and co-ordination, taking part in craft activities and having fun. 

 

Les Roberts Hypnotherapy & NLP CIC - Children learning tools and strategies to help them manage their emotions effectively through crafting activities. 

 

Powered by Hip Hop CIC - Children learning through hip hop how to explore their creativity and participating in fun games. 

 

Rockets Community Club - Children and young people enjoying physical activities and games that promote fitness and teamwork skills. 

 

The Sutton Academy - Young people taking part in physical activities promoting self-confidence and co-ordination and exploring their creativity through arts. 

 

Therafit - SEND children enjoying physical activities and games, socialisation, crafts and team building activities. 

 

Vibe UK - Children and young people enjoying physical activities and socialisation promoting fitness, co-ordination and teambuilding skills. 

 

YMCA St Helens - Young people learning cooking skills, exploring their creativity and participating in physical activities. 

 

The HAF programme is primarily for children aged 4-18 years who are eligible for and receiving benefits-related free school meals. Children are also eligible if:

• they are in receipt of a support plan via Early Help, Child In Need or Children We Look After
• they have an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)
• they receive additional hours at school

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.

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 (mild to moderate additional needs)
• 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
• SE - SEND Expertise: solely for children and young people with SEND and their families (complex additional needs)
• F - Family Friendly: accessible for all families.

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.

Watch the video below to hear some of the feedback we've received from those who have taken part in HAF activities.

 

For any enquiries relating to our HAF programme please email holidayfun@sthelens.gov.uk or call Central Link Family Hub on 01744 673445.