What is HAF?

The Holiday Activity and Food programme is a national initiative funded by the Department for Education.

BwD Young People's Services co-ordinates and manages a comprehensive programme delivered by community and youth work providers. Children who are eligible for benefits related free school meals can take part in a wide range of positive activities and receive a healthy meal during key school holiday periods.

The aims of the project are for children and young people to:

• eat more healthily over the school holidays
  

• be more active during the school holidays
  

• take part in engaging and enriching activities which support 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

HAF is delivered over 3 school holiday periods (Easter, Summer and Christmas). Places on activities are allocated through a website called HolidayActivities.com. These places are generated through eligibility for benefits related free school meals – information that is provided by your child’s school.

If you are eligible make sure your child’s school has your current email address and keep an eye out for an email from holidayactivities.com

Allocated vouchers are only valid for the coming holiday period and are sent out approximately 1 month before school holidays start.

To check if your child is eligible click here – www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals

If you’re an organisation looking to deliver a HAF programme click here to send us an expression of interest :

Closing dates for each delivery period are listed below:

Easter 2027 - closing date : Friday January 22nd 2027
Summer 2027 - closing date : Friday May 21st 2027
Winter 2027 - closing date : Friday October 22nd 2027
Easter 2028 - closing date : Friday January 21st 2028
Summer 2028 - closing date : Friday May 19th 2028
Winter 2028 - closing date : Friday October 20th 2028
Easter 2029 - closing date : Friday January 19th 2029
Summer 2029 - closing date : Friday May 18th 2029
Winter 2029 - closing date : Friday October 19th 2029

If you require any support, have any queries or questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Young People's Services.
(Email HAF-YPS@blackburn.gov.uk or call 01254 298622)

To learn more about HAF including the aims of the programme, eligibility, standards for holiday provision and much more click here.