Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) services DPS (SC240025)

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme in Kent focusses on children’s physical health and wellbeing by providing healthy food and exciting activities for children and young people during the school holidays. Families of children aged four to 16 years, who are in receipt of benefits related to Free School Meals (FSM), can access free opportunities during the Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays. This programme is funded by the Department for Education (DfE) accompanied by grant conditions set out in the Memorandum of Understanding signed by KCC. This work is taking place due to funding from the Department for Education to address the difficult time some families face during the school holiday periods. Increased food, childcare costs and reduced incomes can mean that families struggle to provide food and activities for children. The HAF programme offers a range of enriching activities and encourages young people to be more active during the school holidays not become socially isolated. Families who take part in the programme will also be able to develop their understanding of nutrition and food budgeting by having access to information and support.