Holiday Activities and Food Programme
Summary
The Holiday Activities and Food programme is returning this summer for four weeks during the school holidays to help keep children in Gloucestershire happy, healthy, and entertained with free activities.
Free Family Holiday Activity and Food Programme
The Holiday Activities and Food programme will be available this summer for four weeks during the school holidays in Gloucestershire. It aims to provide children with free activities to keep them happy, healthy, and entertained.
Families who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals can register now for the summer Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) funded by the Department for Education.
This summer, using grant funding, Gloucestershire County Council is once again able to extend fun, enriching holiday activities to all children and young people in the county, through its Holiday Activities Programme (HAP).
Both the HAF and HAP programmes will run for four weeks during the school holidays.
Families are encouraged to:
- Register for the Children’s Activities Booking System (CABS) now to make sure their account is ready for when activity booking opens on Wednesday 5 July. Some activities get booked up very quickly.
- See what’s happening in your area
There are lots of great options to choose from again including drama and science workshops, sports and games, art, and crafts, as well as the ever-popular ticketed attractions. More information is available at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.
To support families in accessing and participating in HAF activities, six new HAF Community Connectors have been introduced in Gloucestershire. These Connectors, one for each district, aim to provide additional assistance to families in need. Furthermore, families eligible for benefits-related free school meals can apply for Holiday Free School Meal vouchers provided by the council. Each child, from reception to year 11, will receive £30 for a two-week period (£15 per week). More information on how to apply can be found at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/holiday-school-meal-vouchers/.
Parents who have registered previously are automatically included and do not need to reapply. Families whose circumstances may have changed can find out about eligibility for free school meals on our website. Anyone who needs additional support over the summer can apply to the Household Support Fund, which supports households in the most need with food, energy and water bills, and other essential items. The council’s Support Hub also includes links to helpful information and advice, including tools to help save money and look after health and wellbeing.