Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF)
Understanding the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is a government-funded initiative aimed at providing healthy meals and enriching activities to children from low-income families during school holidays. Since its launch in 2021, the programme has delivered over 10.7 million HAF days to children and young people across England. The scheme allows children to access Holiday Camp placements completely free of charge and to experience a variety of activities to enable them to learn new skills, make new friends and keep active throughout the holiday period.
Get Active have proudly delivered the HAF programme across several local authorities since the launch of the programme and continue to offer placements across the South-East every Easter, Summer and Winter period. Open to children aged 4 (Reception age) – 12 who receive income related free school meals, the objectives of the HAF programme include-
Healthy Meals: Ensuring children have access to nutritious meals during school breaks, promoting better health and well-being.
Enriching Activities: Offering a variety of engaging activities, such as sports, arts, and educational workshops, to support children’s development and learning.
Support for Families: Providing free childcare places, alleviating some of the pressures faced by low-income families during holidays.
What am I entitled to as part of the HAF scheme?
Parents eligible for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) scheme will have their eligibility confirmed by their local authority or school before the holiday period. Once confirmed, they will receive a link to access the booking page to secure their child’s place.
Entitlements vary by local authority, but most parents will be entitled to:
4 hours per day for 4 days, or in some cases 6 hours per day for 2 days
Most local authorities require parents to book through external booking sites, which can be accessed via the provided link. In many cases, a HAF entitlement code will be sent via email or letter, which must be entered when booking.
The scheme is open to all eligible children, and funded places may be available for those who do not meet the standard criteria. However, families with children who have additional needs or require extra support must contact us before booking to ensure we can make the necessary accommodations for a safe and enjoyable experience for their child.
For any questions, please refer to your local authority’s guidelines or contact us directly.
*Please note that HAF bookings are released at various times throughout the year. Ensure you don’t miss out on updates by adding yourself to our mailing list.
Need help?
Just give us a call on 01344 860868 or email haf@getactivesports.com.
