Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme

The government's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is running across England this year. The Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF) is a Government funded programme that provides free holiday clubs for reception to year 11 pupils in receipt of benefits-related free school meals in West Northamptonshire over the summer, Christmas and Easter holidays.

The HAF programme is designed to ensure a high-quality experience for children that will result in receiving healthy and nutritious meals and maintaining a healthy level of physical activity. Children who attend HAF develop a greater understanding of food, nutrition and other health-related issues and have the opportunity to take part in fun and engaging activities.

Children and young people attending a HAF club will also have the opportunity to have fun, meet new friends, socialise, learn new skills, encounter new experiences and gain confidence whilst enjoying happy, healthy holidays.

In West Northamptonshire the Holiday Activities and Food programme is known as - HAF Northants. The team delivering HAF Northants is Northamptonshire Sport. Using their understanding of activities and fun things to do in Northamptonshire (sport and more) they have handpicked a directory of enriching activities. Please see the Northamptonshire Sport website to find out more about our HAF providers including how to book and the type of activities that we have available here.

Eligibility

School aged children from reception to Year 11 in receipt of benefits related free school meals in West Northamptonshire, have priority in accessing government funded HAF clubs for free.

If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please apply for free school meals.

As in previous years, we have discretion to use up to 15% of our funding to provide free or subsidised holiday club places for children who are not in receipt of benefits-related Free School Meals but who we believe could benefit from HAF. Please discuss with your school, setting or by contacting Northamptonshire Sport at [email protected] if you feel that you or your child would benefit from HAF provision.

Winter delivery dates

The next HAF delivery will take place during the winter holidays and dates will be confirmed soon.

Support with childcare costs

In addition to accessing HAF there is financial support to aid with the cost of childcare or accessing Ofsted approved activity clubs for young people (0 to 17 eligibilities may apply).

Further information is available at Childcare Choices for Tax Free Childcare for support whilst you study, the childcare element of universal and tax credits, and government funded childcare for children aged two, three and four.

Last updated 26 October 2023