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Holiday activities and Food provision (HAF) 2024

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 winter the Christmas Holiday Activity and Food Programme will run from Monday 23rd December 2024 - Sunday 4th January 2025. (no delivery will be taking place on 25th, 26th December 2024 or 1st January 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 Christmas application is now LIVE! 

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme - Christmas 

Grant Application 

We are pleased to announce that the HAF Christmas 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 Christmas holidays. 

Key Information

Application Deadline: The application window will close on 27th September at 5pm. Please ensure your submission is completed before this date to be considered. 

How to Apply 

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

Guidance Document

Before applying, it is crucial to review the guidance document, 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 the festive season. 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.