Council secures funding to extend vital Holiday Activities and Food Programme

A scheme providing school holiday activities and healthy meals to Cheshire East children will continue for at least one more year, following an award of new government funding.

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme provided by Cheshire East Council was due to conclude in March 2025, but last month the Department for Education announced that more than £200m would be provided to councils to keep HAF going for another year.    

The scheme which has been running since 2021, offers a variety of fun and educational sessions for children across the borough. These sessions, available to children aged 5 to 16, are mainly designed for those eligible for free school meals and include physical activities, arts and crafts, interactive experiences, and a nutritious meal for each participant.     

In the 2024/25 period alone, the council supported 2,384 young people and distributed 2,538 healthy hampers to families in need. This impressive effort resulted in over 20,964 sessions booked and more than 83,000 hours of enriching activities provided.    

Moving forward the council will now also provide HAF sessions during February and October half terms in addition to the existing Easter, Summer and Christmas breaks.      

Councillor Carol Bulman, chair of Cheshire East Council’s children and families committee, said:

“I am delighted that the DfE has extended the HAF programme. It is truly essential for those who need it most.     

“This past year, we have provided thousands of young people with sessions in arts, sports, cooking, health and wellness, gardening, animal care, and more. The programme is also inclusive of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), ensuring activities are accessible to all young people across the borough.    

“Feedback from participants has been overwhelmingly positive, with over 85 per cent reporting they learned new things, 73 per cent making new friends, and 94.5 per cent enjoying the sessions."   

Local schools, holiday clubs, and community organisations will deliver the upcoming Easter programme.

For more information visit: 

http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/HAF

Sessions will be available to book from early March.  

For additional support and advice on the cost of living, including the household support fund and eligibility for income-related free school meals, visit: 

http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/costofliving 

...or call:

0300 123 5012