Winter holiday fun with HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) – bookings open

Bookings are now open for the winter Shropshire HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme.

Shropshire Council is working with local schools, voluntary and community organisations and childcare providers to run an exciting holiday programme this winter.

There are free places available on the programme for children and young people aged 4 (reception class age) to 16, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. There are also a limited number of free places available for children and young people living in areas of high deprivation and/or from low-income households, who are not in receipt of benefits related free school meals. These children and young people can be referred onto the programme by a professional. Places are also available for Ukrainian families, currently staying in Shropshire with host families.

From Thursday 21 December 2023 to Friday 5 January 2024, eligible children and young people are invited to take part in a range of fun activities, happening at over 40 holiday clubs from across the county. 

There is something on offer for everyone, including sports, arts, cooking, forest schools and other exciting opportunities. Free nutritious meals will be provided at each session, as well as information to benefit the whole family.

The Winter What’s On Guide and details of how to book are available online here.

Some of the holiday programmes also include paid spaces for children and young people who are not in receipt of free school meals.

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

“Over the summer holidays, over 2,800 eligible children and young people took part in a wide range of exciting and engaging activities at 64 holiday clubs from across the county. 98% of children and young people enjoyed the activities on offer at the clubs, with nearly 95% wanting to attend more holiday clubs in the future.

“Again providers are offering fantastic holiday clubs this winter. I’d like to encourage all eligible families to book onto HAF and have fun over the holidays. There is a huge range of activities happening, with free meals provided at each session.”

For more information on HAF in Shropshire, for a copy of the What’s On Guide and to sign up to the HAF e-news, click here.

Please contact the HAF programme co-ordinators – email: haf.programme@shropshire.gov.uk