{"id":66166,"date":"2025-06-09T16:07:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-09T15:07:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=66166"},"modified":"2025-06-10T13:28:02","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T12:28:02","slug":"booking-for-this-summers-holiday-activities-and-food-programme-is-now-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/booking-for-this-summers-holiday-activities-and-food-programme-is-now-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Online booking for this summer’s Holiday Activities and Food programme is now open"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From today (Monday June 9) parents and carers can book places on the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme this summer.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Government-funded scheme provides activities and nutritional meals over the holidays for children aged five to 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if your child is not eligible for benefits-related free school meals they still may be able to access activities under our \u2018extended criteria.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can find more information about our extended criteria  on information for parents and carers on our children, families and education<\/a> webpage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And now, to make it easier, you can view and book activities<\/a> online. The new EEQU system displays all the holiday activities on offer, with links detailing where and when the activity is, how to get there and other important information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve applied the booking system will carry out an instant assessment of their eligibility to attend. If eligible, you will receive a confirmation of the booking and you will be sent reminders ahead of the session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And if you need to cancel its easy to do and will free up the slot allowing those on the waiting list the chance to book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HAF programme is a government-funded initiative which we have been delivering since 2018.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We now work with over 100 holiday activity providers around Devon who provide a wide range of activities for children and young people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From arts and crafts workshops to sports and outdoor activities, the programme is designed to keep children engaged, active, and well-nourished during the school break. All clubs will be operating for a minimum of four hours and will include a hot meal.\u202f\u202f<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have also increased the number of places for secondary school aged children, with some sessions taking place during the evenings and at weekends. <\/p>\n\n\n

\r\n\t
\r\n

Councillor Richard Jefferies, Devon County Council\u2019s Cabinet Member for Children\u2019s Social Services and Education said: <\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

\u201cThere are approximately 20,000 children and young people across Devon who are eligible to attend these funded activities.<\/p>\n

“For many families, school holidays can be a difficult and stressful time and with children at home for six weeks costs can quickly add up. Our successful HAF programme aims to make it a little bit easier for families.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever places are limited; and I encourage parents and carers of children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals, or are eligible through our extended criteria to have a look at our website to see what\u2019s happening near you and book their child\u2019s place as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Richard Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services – Social Services<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":859,"featured_media":61935,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-children-families-and-education"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":61935,"title":"Children playing football","alt":"Children playing 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