Millions of families entitled to free summer holiday clubs

If you’re on a low income or your child receives free school meals, you could be entitled to free places at summer holiday clubs during the school holidays.

And if your child attends the activity club, they’ll also be given at least one free meal a day.

The free places come from the government's holiday activities and food programme (HAF).

What is HAF?

Trialled in 2018 and rolled out across the country in 2021, HAF gives eligible children up to 6 weeks of free activities and food over the summer holidays.

Children who attend the programme:

• Eat healthily and learn about nutrition and food budgeting
• Take part in activities such as football, swimming, table tennis or cricket
• Get creative in drumming workshops, junk modelling or by putting on a play
• Experience nature through walks or visiting city farms
• Play in a safe environment and have the freedom to relax and enjoy themselves

Who is eligible for HAF places?

The free activity club places are for school-age children from reception to year 11 who get free school meals.

Local councils can also offer free places to children who don’t get free school meals who could benefit from attending a HAF programme, such as:

• Those from low-income families who don’t qualify for free school meals
• Children going between nursery and primary school or primary school and secondary school
• Children who have low attendance at school and are at risk of exclusion
• Children with special educational needs or disabilities
• Looked after children
• Young carers
• Vulnerable children

Parents can also choose to pay for their children to attend if they do not qualify. And they might be able to claim back up to 85% of the cost if they’re eligible for tax-free childcare or the childcare costs element of universal credit.

If you qualify for the free activity places, you do not need to do anything to apply. You will receive an e-voucher by text or email from your child’s school containing a passcode. Visit your local council website and register for your local scheme using this passcode.

If you’re not entitled to free school meals but think your children could still qualify, contact your local council to find out how to apply.

What’s on offer from HAF programmes up and down the country?

Each council decides how to deliver its HAF programme so what’s on offer to you will differ depending on where you live. For example:

• Stoke-on-Trent City Council is offering 889 free activities including gymnastics and basketball in a scheme running from 22 July to 20 August.
• Lancashire County Council is offering four days of HAF provision to eligible children with activities that will help increase self-esteem and well-being.
• York Council is offering a range of sports, drama and creative workshops, nature activities and much more alongside a nutritious meal.
• Hammersmith and Fulham Council is running its scheme from 20 July until 30 August with themed weeks including Olympic sports, White City Youth Theatre Performance Project, free water sports week, learn to cook and QPR soccer schools week.
• And Birmingham Council’s offering – known locally as ‘Bring it on Brum’ – is designed to address the ‘holiday experience gap’.