Applications are now open for providers interested in delivering the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for Easter 2026. Part of a national programme, HAF clubs provide enriching activities and a healthy meal for school-aged children who receive benefits-related free school meals (FSM) during the Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays. In Derby, the HAF programme is delivered by Derby City Council in partnership with Community Action and is funded by the Department for Education.
This winter, over 3,000 children and young people enjoyed activities from 29 different providers during the winter holidays. An exciting new partnership with Derby LIVE meant that we could offer festive experiences for the whole family, including ice skating, the Dick Whittington pantomime, the Merry Elwin The Adventurous Elf family show and a visit to see Santa in Derby Market Hall. St Werburgh’s Church delivered a festive club at their venue on Friar Gate, with games, crafts and music, as well as hosting a community meal for the families and friends of the young people who had attended the club.
Derby Theatre hosted a HAF club from Bramblebrook Community Centre, and offered dance, music, drama and sports alongside a nutritious meal. They also encouraged children to focus on their health and wellbeing, by including a visit from a paramedic who taught first aid skills. As part of their festive HAF offering, Derby Theatre also gave families the chance to visit the theatre, with tickets to performances of Oliver Twist and the Tortoise & Hare.
Considering the positive impact of Derby’s HAF programme, Councillor Paul Hezelgrave, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Skills at Derby City Council, said:
We were delighted to receive confirmation earlier this year that the DfE would be extending its funding of the HAF programme, meaning that our children will benefit from these enriching holiday clubs for another three years. The winter holidays can bring both joy and challenges for families, and we’ve seen first-hand how important the work of our HAF providers is in ensuring our children and young people have activities to look forward to. They work hard to provide warm, friendly places where children can make friends and enjoy their winter break.
The HAF team are now busy preparing to deliver their Easter programme; funding is now open to schools, the voluntary sector and private providers who can meet the objectives of the programme. For Easter 2026, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from organisations that can deliver targeted holiday clubs for:
• Children who are in Reception and Year One in school
• Older teenagers
• Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
If your organisation is interested in delivering HAF sessions and you’d like to know more about funding available, please visit our website.
The deadline for applications is 8am on Monday 26 January.