The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is again offering free holiday scheme places and family experiences for children in Cambridgeshire this Christmas who are eligible for free school meals.
This continuing initiative offers primary and secondary school children in Cambridgeshire the chance to enjoy exciting experiences at a wide range of holiday schemes. In addition, families can also book onto fun experiences together.
With a focus on providing healthy meals alongside engaging activities, this programme is ideal for children to stay healthy and active this Christmas.
Each session will include a nutritious meal, a variety of exciting experiences or sports and the opportunity to socialise with other children.
Any child receiving benefit-related free school meals is eligible for the programme, which will run from 20 December.
Approximately 19,000 HAF eligibility vouchers were sent to families on 11 November. Each voucher offers 16 hours of access, for no charge, to a HAF scheme or family experience during the Christmas school holidays.
Funded by the Department for Education (DfE), the HAF scheme enables local authorities to coordinate free holiday childcare and enriching experiences locally.
The programme will be delivered by approved providers, co-ordinated by Cambridgeshire County Council. The Council are working with schools, childcare providers, experience providers, district councils and voluntary and community organisations to deliver the programme.
As part of the programme, eligible children will be able to access:
- Fun and entertaining opportunities or new experiences that help develop their skills and knowledge.
- A variety of holiday schemes including sports, playschemes, drama, technology, outdoor adventure and youth schemes.
- A variety of family experiences including skating, swimming, visiting the pantomime and engaging in wildlife park adventures.
- At least one meal a day.
- Guidance on increasing awareness of healthy eating, lifestyles, and positive behaviours.
Parents will also be supported with information and signposting to other services and support which might be helpful to families.
Cllr Bryony Goodliffe, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People Committee, said: “I am delighted that we can continue this wonderful scheme in Cambridgeshire during the school Christmas holidays.
“We want to ensure that all children and young people have opportunities to thrive. The benefits that this programme brings run directly alongside the educational work we’re already doing. We hope that this will further promote the benefits of physical activity, in a variety of forms, as well as the emphasis on nutritious eating.”
