From Monday 2 November, parents and carers can book places on the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) winter programme for children who receive benefits-related free school meals.
More than 100 venues across Devon will offer fun, safe and enriching activities for children and young people including a wide range of sports, cooking, drama, music, dance and more. The aim is to keep children active, engaged and well-nourished during the school break.
Devon’s HAF programme runs over the Christmas, Easter and summer school holidays. A new film explores some of the activities offered earlier this year and their impact on the children who attend.
This winter, many providers will also offer pantomime tickets, festive trips and seasonal hampers. All clubs will operate for a minimum of four hours and will include a healthy hot meal.
Beth Trantham, HAF Programme Lead, said:
“Last week we held our inaugural Devon HAF Celebration and Impact Awards, and we are delighted to see our winners and highly commended providers being recognised. The full list of award recipients will be available on our website in the coming days.
“While not everyone can take home an award, we want to take this opportunity to celebrate and thank all of our providers partners and volunteers for the passion, dedication and commitment they bring to the programme year after year. Every organisation delivers high-quality, enriching holiday activities and nutritious food provision for children and families across the county, helping to create positive experiences and lasting memories.”
Funded by the Department for Education, the HAF scheme provides activities and nutritional meals for children aged five to 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals.
Councillor Richard Jefferies, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:
“We know that school holidays can create additional pressures for some families, which is why the HAF programme is such an important initiative. This winter’s programme includes a great mix of activities, festive experiences and good food, ensuring children remain active and stay healthy. We would encourage eligible families to book early and take advantage of everything on offer.
“The Government has recently changed the criteria to determine eligibility for benefits-related free school meals, meaning some children who were previously eligible for HAF may no longer qualify. To help support families through this transition, Devon HAF will temporarily extend its eligibility criteria for winter 2026.”
Devon has also been working hard to improve the inclusivity of their HAF programme so that children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can join in. Parents can filter what’s on offer for eligibility by location and need.
Councillor Denise Bickley, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for SEND, said:
“The HAF programme offers children and young people, including those with SEND, the chance to take part in enriching activities in a safe and supportive setting. It helps them develop friendships, gain confidence and enjoy experiences they might not otherwise have access to during the school holidays.”
Activities can be viewed and booked online. If eligible, you will receive a booking confirmation and reminders ahead of the session. You can use this link to make a booking: Eequ · After school. In place of school. Beyond school.
Find out more about the HAF winter programme and see if you’re eligible to apply: Winter HAF 2026 – Children, families and education