A free programme of holiday activities each of which include a healthy meal funded by the Government and coordinated by West Suffolk Council is being extended once again this Easter to families in need.
Activities include football, swimming, horse riding, roller skating, arts and crafts, film making, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) activities, family park cooking and more.
There are free places at these events under the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Eligibility for free places, set out by The Department for Education (DfE), is based on children and families who are on benefits related free school meals or pupil premium or where there is an identified need (such as being in care, bereavement, or if they are homeless). To enquire or book these places you can use the details on the timetable below. You should have received an email directly from your child’s school.
Families with children in receipt of benefits related free school meals can book their places now. Booking is through an online platform called Eequ which details all the provisions across the county. Schools are also being given information to help any parents who cannot access online to book.
But West Suffolk Council recognises that there will be other families in financial hardship who are not eligible. It is allowed to use up to 15 per cent of its share of the Government funding to offer free places to families who are in financial hardship but who wouldn’t otherwise qualify.
Families in financial hardship should contact the activity provider in the first instance to find out how to apply for a place or places. If they go straight onto the Eequ link without this prior approval, their application may be rejected. Spaces for families in financial hardship are limited and will be decided by Suffolk County Council on a first come first served basis.
