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Holiday Activities and Food Provision (HAF)

Holiday Activities and Food Provision (HAF)

About HAF

School holidays can be pressure points for some families because of increased costs (such as food and childcare) and reduced incomes- more evidently with the current cost of living crisis. For some children that can lead to a holiday experience gap – with children from disadvantaged families less likely to access organised out-of-school activities, more likely to experience ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of nutrition and physical health, and more likely to experience social isolation. 

To address this, The Department for Education is providing funding to local authorities to coordinate a holiday programme that provides healthy food and enriching activities to benefit entitled Free School Meals recipients during the Christmas Holiday. 

Tower Hamlets want to commission a rich and diverse programme of Holiday activities offering food delivered by organisations form the private, voluntary, and public sector that respond to local need.

This Easter the Holiday Activity and Food Programme will run from Monday 7th April 2025- Sunday 20th April 2025.

What do the programmes include?

Thousands of children who are eligible for and claiming benefits-related free school meals will be able to access a free place a holiday activity club over the Christmas school holiday. 

Open to eligible children and young people aged 4 to 16 years, all programmes provide: 

  • Free, nutritious and tasty food 
  • Fun physical activity sessions 
  • A wide range of other exciting activities to suit different ages and personalities 
  • Opportunities to learn more about food and nutrition for children and their families 

Information for Providers 

The Easter application is now LIVE! 

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme - Easter
Grant Application 
We are pleased to announce that the HAF Easter Grant application is now live! This grant is designed to support organisations in providing enriching activities and healthy meals for children and young people during the Easter holiday. 

Key Information
Application Deadline: The application window will close on Sunday 16th February at 9pm. Please ensure your submission is completed before this date to be considered. 

How to Apply 

To submit your application, please follow the Easter HAF Grant application link.  Ensure that all sections are filled out comprehensively. 

Guidance Document
Before applying, it is crucial to review the Easter HAF Grant Guidance, which outlines all stipulations, eligibility criteria, and requirements for the grant. This will help you prepare a strong application and ensure compliance with the grant's terms. 

We encourage all interested parties to apply as soon as possible. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in the community during Easter.

If you have any questions or need further assistance with the application process, please do not hesitate to reach out by emailing [email protected]. We are also offering calls with applicants to discuss any questions you may have, please email to arrange a Teams call.