As part of our #BeWinterWise campaign, Cambridgeshire County Council is helping families stay supported, connected, and healthy throughout the festive season.
This Christmas, the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is offering free spaces to primary and secondary school children in Cambridgeshire who are eligible for benefit-related free school meals, giving them the chance to enjoy enriching experiences and nutritious food during the school holidays.
Around 20,000 HAF eligibility vouchers have been sent to families across the county via email and/or text this week. Each voucher offers 16 hours of free access to a local HAF scheme during the festive period (subject to availability), helping families manage rising costs while keeping children active and engaged.
Delivered by approved providers and coordinated by Cambridgeshire County Council, the HAF programme offers a wide variety of activities, from sports, playschemes, drama, and technology to outdoor adventures and youth sessions. Every child attending will also receive at least one healthy meal a day, along with guidance on healthy eating, wellbeing, and positive behaviours.
Parents and carers will also be signposted to local services and additional cost-of-living support, reinforcing the council’s wider commitment to helping households stay safe, warm, and well this winter.
Cllr Edna Murphy, Chair of the Children and Young People committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “We know that winter can bring extra pressures for many families, especially over the festive season. The HAF programme is a fantastic way to help children stay healthy, active, and happy, while also easing some of the financial strain on parents.
“Through our #BeWinterWise campaign, we’re working to ensure that everyone in Cambridgeshire feels supported and cared for during the colder months. Together, we’re building a greener, fairer, and more caring Cambridgeshire.”
Families eligible for free school meals can redeem their HAF vouchers to book places at participating schemes across the county. Spaces are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
To find out more about available activities and providers, visit the HAF Provider Directory.
