Holiday Activities and Food (HAF)
Programme
Introduction to HAF
Since 2018, the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has provided support to children in receipt of free school meals through holiday periods.
Following successful pilots between 2018 and 2020, the programme was rolled out to all upper tier local authorities. This enabled SportWorks to get involved and continue our amazing work within our local communities. We are proud to be able to deliver the HAF programme since 2021 and are currently commissioned by over 30 Local Authorities across the country, working with thousands of children and their families.
Watch our HAF programme in action
The Impact of Our HAF Programmes
Who is the programme for?
This holiday provision is for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who receive benefits-related free school meals.
Benefits-related free school meals (FSM) are available to pupils if their parents are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits, and have a claim verified by their school or local authority.
Information on qualifying benefits can be found on the gov.uk website.
Aims of the programme
As a result of this programme, the children who attend this provision will:
- eat healthily over the school holidays
- be active during the school holidays
- take part in engaging and enriching activities which supports the development of resilience, character and wellbeing along with their wider educational attainment
- be safe and not to be socially isolated
- have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition
- be more engaged with school and other local services
The families who participate in this programme will:
- develop their understanding of nutrition and food budgeting
- are signposted towards other information and support, for example, health, employment, and education
What we offer
Since 2021 we have worked with over 30 Local Authorities delivering the HAF programme. A selection of programmes are below
“Both my children aged 4 and 7 have attended the HAF programme provided by SportWorks in both the summer and Christmas, and they can’t wait to go back next half term holidays! The sessions give them sports and activities to look forwards to over the holidays where they would normally miss out with not being at school. The food that the SportWorks team provided was excellent and has added to the great experience they have had at the sessions. The sessions give them a chance to do a range of different sporting activities including some sports they wouldn’t normally get to do. I think this breeds confidence and learning new skills and meeting new friends is all part of skills they need growing up! The sessions have also included some activities around learning about healthy eating and living which with other holiday providers you simply do not get!”
HAF data
During the summer of 2023, we produced the following impact data:
At SportWorks, we take pride in being able to offer information, signposting or referrals to other services and support that would benefit the children and participants, who attend our programmes, along with support for their families. For more information about other services we can help you with, click the link below!
Supporting CommunitiesGet involved
If you a Local Authority, and looking for HAF providers, then this is the route for you!
Contact usCustomer service survey
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Customer Service Survey results