We're pleased to share this information from Devon County Council:
The Government has announced the significant expansion of its tried and tested Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides healthy food and enriching activities during the summer holidays to children, which is free to access for those who receive benefits-related free school meals.
This programme has now been expanded to reach all Local Authority areas over the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays during 2021.
As a result Devon County Council will be receiving a substantial grant to develop and co-ordinate:-
- A food and activity programme to all children (5 -16 years).
- A programme that offers inclusive and accessible provision (for example, SEND, young carers, etc).
- An offer that will consist of at least 4 hours, for 4 days a week, per child for 4 weeks in the summer, and for one week in Easter and Christmas holidays.
Devon County Council is keen to work with a wide range of partners to maximise resources and opportunities in the development of a county-wide HAF programme. We aim to do this by publicising what’s already on offer, upscaling provision where needed and offering support to develop new provision where gaps have been identified.
Evidence suggests that holiday activity programmes are most successful when they cover more than just breakfast and lunch, and involve children (and parents) in food preparation. This is a great opportunity to support projects in Devon which incorporate food education, growing or cooking skills for children and families, which can increase food resilience within communities and reconnect people with food.
Initially, we want to develop the programme in the areas listed below but we are also open to offers to deliver in other areas.
- Barnstaple
- Beacon
- Bideford
- Central and Chestnut
- Westexe
- Dartmouth
- Holsworthy
- Ilfracombe
- Newton Abbot
- Teignmouth
- Tiverton
If your organisation would like help us to deliver this programme in your area – or you know of an organisation or individual who may like to get involved click here to complete the Expression of Interest Form
We can help you to deliver by providing advice, support and a grant.
Expressions of Interest should be submitted by 3rd March 2021 at the latest.
Once the Expression of Interest form is submitted and received, we will contact you to set out the next steps in preparation for the Easter holidays – this will include details of the funding available and the evaluation process.
We are looking forward to working with all our local partners and stakeholders.
Further information about the National programme is available through the following link:
If you have any queries, please contact the co-ordinators:-
- Melissa Filby – 01392 38300 or email melissa.filby@devon.gov.uk
- Jackie Colby – 07970 481132 or email jackie.colby@devon.gov.uk