School holiday activities and food programme

We are offering holiday activities and food clubs (also referred to as HAF) for children aged 5 to 16 years who live in South Gloucestershire.

Book a space for your child now 

This programme aims to provide healthy food and enriching activities during the school holidays to children who are aged between 5 to 16 years old and receive benefits-related free school meals.

We have allocated Department for Education (DfE) funding to provide this programme so that eligible children and young people can access fully funded places for 4 hours per day, 4 days per week in the following school holidays:

  • 1 week in spring (Easter holiday)
  • 4 weeks in the summer
  • 1 week in the winter (Christmas holiday)

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Who is the programme for

Funded places are for primary and secondary school aged children who receive benefits-related free school meals (not just the universal free school meals that all children receive in the first three years of school). 

Details of the activities and clubs

Details of all local activities and clubs taking place in the Winter holiday can be found by clicking on this link:

 Book a space for your child now  

This will take you through to the booking platform.

Please note, your child's eligibility will be checked, and providers will contact you directly should there be any issues.

If you have any queries, please contact HAF@southglos.gov.uk.

The fully funded holiday club places are prioritised for children who are eligible for and receiving benefits-related free school meals.  Depending on the activity, you may also be able to pay for your child to attend if they do not get benefit-related free school meals.

Other school holidays (not funded by the DfE)

Some of the approved providers also have clubs and activities taking place in the other school holidays (February, May/June and October). These are not covered by the DfE funding, and you will have to pay for your child to attend if there is a charge for the club or activity.

Other children and families in need

The local authority can use up to a maximum of 15% of the HAF funding we give them to provide fully funded places for children who are not in receipt of benefits-related free school meals but who we believe could benefit from this programme.

Children and young people from the following groups, who are not eligible for benefit -related free school meals, may be considered and must be referred by an agency professional such as a teacher or a social worker.

  • Children assessed by the council as being in need, at risk or vulnerable
  • Young carers
  • Looked-after children or previously looked-after children
  • Children with an education, health and care (EHC) plan.

Please note, these places will be offered on a first come, first served basis and we will only accept referrals from agency professionals.  Contact HAF@southglos.gov.uk if you would like more information.

The aims of the programme

Children and young people will:

  • receive healthy and nutritious meals
  • maintain a healthy level of physical activity
  • be happy, have fun and meet new friends
  • develop a greater understanding of food, nutrition and other health-related issues
  • take part in fun and engaging activities that support their development
  • feel safe and secure
  • get access to the right support services
  • return to school feeling engaged and ready to learn.

The children’s families can also benefit, when HAF providers include their needs in planning and delivering their programme. This could be through:

  • providing opportunities to get involved in cookery classes
  • ensuring they are signposted towards other sources of information and support, such as health services or employment and education opportunities.

Food provided

All children and young people attending a HAF programme will get at least 1 meal a day (breakfast, lunch or an evening meal)

All food provided as part of the HAF programme (including snacks) must:

Information on healthy eating

The NHS has lots of useful information on their website:

The BBC also have the following resources available on their website:

Activity and club safety

The activity and club providers have experience of running holiday activities for children and young people and have the appropriate indemnity insurance for their activities.

Their staff and volunteers have been Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked.

For general enquiries around any providers of the holiday activities and food programme email HAF@southglos.gov.uk.

Food vouchers

Each child (in a South Gloucestershire School) on free school meals will be given a supermarket e-voucher via their school. This will happen before the end of term to support children throughout the holiday.

If you have any questions about free school meals in term-time or during holidays, contact your child’s school. 

In order to provide the activities to your and your family it is necessary to collect and hold personal information.  Please read our Privacy Notice for holiday activities and food programme for further information.

Other things that can help

If you are struggling financially, we are here to help.

You may be entitled to our grants, benefits and other support including help with childcare, energy and food costs, as well as long-term financial support and the government help available.

If you would like to talk to someone and check what support you may be eligible for, visit one of our One Stop Shops in Kingswood, Patchway or Yate or email OSSAppointments@southglos.gov.uk to book an appointment. Our customer care officers will speak to you in confidence. Further information is available on our help with the cost of living page.

We are also supporting a network of Community Welcome Spaces. These spaces offer a friendly welcome and are free to use.

They are often located in a community centre or a town or village hall. Some offer hot drinks, activities and facilities plus information on local financial support available, energy saving tips and government cost of living help. Find your nearest community welcome space.