Hampshire County Council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme supports around 8,000 children during Easter, Summer and Christmas school holidays. As well as children who receive benefits-linked free school meals, 15 per cent of funded places on the programme are also available for other vulnerable children and young people.
First piloted in 2018 and rolled out nationally in 2021, the HAF programme aims to alleviate the pressures faced by low-income families during school holidays. It provides around 150 schemes across the county, all ensuring that children have access to healthy food and engaging experiences outside of the school term.
Councillor Roz Chadd, Executive Lead Member for Children's Services, welcomed the grant, saying: “We are pleased to receive renewed Government funding, enabling us to continue supporting families most challenged by cost-of-living pressures at a time when these can hit hardest. The HAF programme has a positive impact where it matters most, not only providing nutritious meals and activities but also signposting to additional support services, including health, employment, and education resources.”
In addition to holiday clubs, the funding will also support the delivery of holiday activities by Hampshire’s Library Service and the Short Breaks programme, which enables children and young people with disabilities or additional needs to join in with safe and fun activities, giving parents and carers a short break from their caring responsibilities.
Parents can register now for HAF places at Family Information and Services Hub and applications for the Easter provision will open during the week commencing 10 March.
For more information about the Holiday Activities and Food Programme and other cost of living support available, visit the County Council’s connect4communities web pages.