A free programme of holiday activities each of which include a healthy meal funded by the Government and coordinated by West Suffolk Council on behalf of Suffolk County Council, is now open for bookings.
The national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is primarily aimed at children under 16s who receive benefits related free school meals. The Government funded scheme was set up to help support them during the school holidays when they may not otherwise get a hot meal.
Eligibility for HAF is set out by The Department for Education (DfE). It includes 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).
This Summer, we are working with 30 providers offering a mix of activities including acrobatics, roller disco, paddle boarding in Brandon, fitness, mindfulness, Newmarket pony care and grooming, swimming, football, crafts, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and more.
To enquire or book these places you can use the details on the timetable below. You should have also received an email directly from your child’s school.
West Suffolk Council recognises that there will be other families who could do with a bit of extra support at this time. It is allowed to use up to 15 per cent of its share of the Government funding to offer free discretionary places to families who wouldn’t otherwise qualify. They will need prior approval before they try to book places through the Eequ link.
To do this they need to contact the activity provider for each of the activities that they are interested and ask about discretionary places. The activities and activity providers’ contact details can be seen on Eequ or through the council’s #westsuffolksummerhaf26 posts on Facebook and Instagram
Discretionary spaces are limited and will be decided by Suffolk County Council on a first come first served basis.
