Bookings for holiday activities and food (HAF) winter programme start to open
Many families across Lancashire are now able to book places for children to attend Christmas holiday clubs, following the successful holiday activities and food (HAF) summer programme.
The HAF programme provides four hours of activities a day, including a meal, over four days of the school holiday.
This year's summer HAF programme saw 13, 057 children take up a free place across 225 clubs, resulting in 96,297 individual attendances.
Following on from the success of the summer programme, bookings for Christmas club places are now live in a number of districts, with the rest to follow shortly.
The county council is working with a wide range of partners, including district councils and StreetGames, to develop and build new opportunities on existing programmes. Activities will be delivered through established community groups and youth organisations.
There will be an emphasis in the festive season of providing warm spaces, warm food and bringing families together for parties, discos and trips out. The activities will also help to increase self-esteem, improve wellbeing and provide information advice and guidance on healthy eating and nutrition – but most importantly we want children to have fun over the holiday period.
To get a free place on the HAF programme, your family needs to be eligible for free school meals, although some children may be eligible for a place using discretionary criteria. If you have a specific need or disadvantage, your child's school will help you find out if this applies to you. Families will be contacted over the coming weeks with further information about how to book your place.
County Councillor Cosima Towneley, Lancashire County Council's cabinet member for children and families, said: "The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has been a lifeline to many families who often find the school holidays difficult and stressful time.
"Our summer HAF programme was our most successful yet, and we are keen to build on this. We know this program offers such fantastic opportunities to keep children active in a social, safe environment and I would encourage families to look what's on in your area and consider booking a place when invited."
If you are not sure if you are eligible for a place on the HAF programme, ask your child's school.
For more information about our Christmas HAF programme and how to book, visit: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/school-holiday-activities/