Skip to content

Four days of free festive family fun

Published
The Holiday Activities and Food programme is returning for four action packed days this winter to help keep children in Gloucestershire happy, healthy and entertained during the school holidays.

Families who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals can register now for the winter Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) funded by the Department for Education.

This winter, using grant funding, Gloucestershire County Council is once again able to extend fun, enriching holiday activities to all children and young people in the county, through its Holiday Activities Programme (HAP).

Both the HAF and HAP programmes will run for four days from 19 to 22 December. Families are encouraged to register now to make sure their account is ready for when activity booking opens on Thursday 1 December.

There are lots of great options to choose from again including Christmas parties, drama and science workshops, various sports and games, art and crafts, as well as the ever popular ticketed attractions. More information is available at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.

Families eligible for benefits-related free school meals can also apply for Holiday Free School Meal vouchers, which the council is providing for two weeks. Parents will receive £30 per child (£15 per week, per child) from reception to year 11. Applications are open now and will close at midday on Tuesday 6 December. Find out more at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/holiday-school-meal-vouchers/.

Parents who have registered previously are automatically included and do not need to reapply. Families whose circumstances may have changed, can find out about eligibility for free school meals on our website.

The council’s Support Hub also includes links to helpful information and advice and will provide residents with tools to help save money, look after health and wellbeing and conserve energy.

Cllr Stephen Davies, cabinet member for children’s social care and early years at Gloucestershire County Council said: “I’m delighted that we can offer families extra support this Christmas to help them to stay healthy and have fun.

“The Holiday Activities and Food programme is going from strength to strength thanks to successful partnership working with our district partners who have lots of free festive fun in store for families again this December.”