{"id":71558,"date":"2026-10-06T13:36:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T12:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/?p=71558"},"modified":"2026-10-06T13:37:17","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T12:37:17","slug":"public-voting-open-devon-haf-celebration-impact-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.devon.gov.uk\/news\/public-voting-open-devon-haf-celebration-impact-awards\/","title":{"rendered":"Public voting open for the Devon HAF Celebration and Impact Awards\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Inspiring providers, volunteers and organisations from across Devon are being recognised for their outstanding contribution to the Devon Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, as public voting opens for the 2026 Celebration and Impact Awards.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The HAF programme provides funded holiday activities and healthy meals for eligible children and young people during the Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays, supporting them to eat more healthily and be more active. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every year, hundreds of dedicated staff, volunteers and organisations help to make the programme a success, offering safe, welcoming spaces where children can thrive. This can make a lasting difference to the lives of young people and families across the region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Devon HAF Celebration and Impact Awards offer an opportunity to recognise and celebrate everyone involved, while showcasing the positive impact being made for communities across the county and raise awareness of the programme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beth Trantham, Devon County Council’s HAF Programme Lead, said: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201cThis year so far, the HAF programme has commissioned more than 40,000 places across its network of providers for children in receipt of benefit-related free school meals and those eligible through our extended criteria. This has helped them access enriching experiences in sport, art, cooking, water sports and more, while building confidence, making new friends and enjoying healthy meals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor the awards, an expert panel carefully reviewed all submissions and shortlisted the nominees across a range of categories, from Healthy Eating Champion to Best Independent Provider. The awards ceremony will take place on the evening of Thursday 29 October. Voting closes on 16 October, so there is still time to have your say. We are thrilled to see how many votes are coming in, clearly demonstrating the difference the programme has made to children and families.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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Councillor Denise Bickley, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services \u2013 SEND, said:<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

 <\/p>\n

“HAF is an inclusive programme for all children and young people, including many with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), which is only possible thanks to the incredible commitment, creativity and enthusiasm of everyone involved.<\/p>\n

“These awards are an opportunity to celebrate excellence, innovation and impact across Devon while shining a spotlight on the people who go above and beyond to make the programme happen. We encourage everyone to vote before 16 October.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/blockquote>\r\n

\r\n\t
\r\n\t\t\"Councillor\r\n
\r\n Councillor Denise Bickley, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services – SEND<\/a><\/figcaption>\r\n <\/figure>\r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n <\/div>\n\n
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Councillor Richard Jefferies, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said:\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\r\n \t\t

 <\/p>\n

\u201cWe would like to say thank you to all those people whose passion and commitment help make HAF a success.<\/p>\n

“Children and young people are able to enjoy a wide range of activities in safe environments, which helps to reduce social isolation and improve wellbeing.<\/p>\n

“The families, partners and communities involved in the programme are being asked to support and recognise the individuals and organisations making a difference by voting before 16 October.\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>\n\n\n

The winners will be announced at the Devon HAF Celebration and Impact Awards event on the evening of 29 October 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Public voting is now open at: Vote in the Devon HAF Celebration and Impact Awards<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3017,"featured_media":71564,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[7,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71558","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-children-families-and-education","category-uncategorised"],"acf":[],"featured_image":{"ID":71564,"title":"HAF Awards_web banner (1200 x 800 px) (1)","alt":"photo of children's hands painting with the HAF Devon 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