Grant scheme open for summer and winter Holiday Activities and Food programme

After a very successful Easter 2022 programme of activities, which provided over 4,000 places for children and young people eligible for free school meals to take part in holiday clubs, Shropshire Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) are thrilled to launch a grant scheme for summer and winter 2022.

Shropshire HAF are looking for applications for the summer and winter HAF programme running over the school holidays – between 25 July 2022 to 2 September 2022, and 19 December 2022 to 23 December 2022.

HAF summer and winter 2022 programme

The DfE grant funding is available through the Shropshire Council HAF Programme for groups, organisations and individuals in the county who are delivering a high quality and exciting programme of holiday activity for children and young people aged 4-16.

The funding is intended to subsidise free places on new or existing holiday programmes for children and young people who are eligible for free school meals. In Shropshire, there are more than 6,000 children and young people registered to claim benefit-related free school meals.

The aim of the DfE funding holiday activities and food programme, campaigned for by footballer Marcus Rashford, is to make holiday activities as accessible and inclusive as possible. Providers will need to offer a programme of enrichment and physical activities a nutritious meal and food education.

Kirstie Hurst-Knight, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and education, said:-

“We are thrilled to be launching the Shropshire HAF grant application process for the summer and winter holidays this year. The aim of the programme is to make holiday activities as accessible and inclusive as possible. Shropshire’s HAF Programme provides high quality opportunities for children, young people and carers/parents to have fantastic and high-quality experiences; access to delicious and nutritious food and information advice, guidance and support during the holiday periods.”

A participant attending a holiday club said:

“The holiday club really helps me stay healthy and fit. The coaches are brilliant. I have created a new best friend at the holiday club. They go to a different school but that doesn’t matter!”

Deadline for applications to be submitted is Tuesday 17 May 2022 at 9am.

For more information about Shropshire HAF and how to apply for a grant visit the Shropshire HAF Website or contact HAF.programme@shropshire.gov.uk