Spring holiday fun for families
Families who are eligible for income-related free school meals can register now for the spring HAF which is funded by the Department for Education. Now in its fourth year, HAF continues to go from strength to strength, thanks to strong and successful partnerships with local partners who help make it all possible. They are:
· Gloucester – The Venture White City Ltd
· Cheltenham – Cheltenham Borough Council
· Tewkesbury – Young Gloucestershire
· Stroud – Stroud District Council
· Cotswolds – Cotswold District Council
· Forest of Dean – Forest Voluntary Action Forum
The spring programme will run across two weeks during the Easter school holidays from Monday 25 March to Friday 5 April 2024. Families are encouraged to check their local district HAF webpages to see information about what’s happening in their local area.
Booking for all activities across the county will open on Monday 11 March.
Following the success of the early browsing opportunity during last winter’s HAF, once again families will be given time to browse activities before booking opens, to help them decide in advance which sessions they would like to attend. All activities on offer across Gloucestershire will be available to view from midday today (Monday 4 March.)
There are lots of great options to choose from including drama and science workshops, sports and games, art and crafts, music and dance, indoor and outdoor activities, as well as the ever-popular ticketed attractions. More information about the programme is available at: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.
If they haven’t done so already, families are encouraged to:
· Register for the Children’s Activities Booking System (CABS) now to make sure they can view the activities which will be available in their district, and select their choices when booking opens on Monday 11 March.
· Follow their district lead on social media to see what is happening in their area.
Families who require additional support to choose, book or attend HAF activities, can receive support from six HAF Community Connectors, one for each district of Gloucestershire. Find out more about Community Connectors.
Families eligible for pupil premium (income-related) free school meals can apply for Holiday Free School Meal vouchers, which the council is providing for 1 week during the Easter break and 1 week for the May half-term school holiday. Parents will receive £15 per week, for each eligible child from reception to year 11.
Applications for both holidays are open now and will close at midday on Tuesday 12 March. Vouchers will be distributed for both the Easter and May school holidays from Monday 18 March. Families will be able to 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, and should contact childrensfund@gloucestershire.gov.uk to inform the team of any changes by midday on Tuesday 12 March.
Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years at Gloucestershire County Council said: “The Holiday Activities and Food programme helps to keep children and young people happy, healthy and entertained during the school holidays offering an ever-increasing range of enjoyable and educational activities.
“I would encourage eligible families to sign up now, so they are ready for when activity booking opens on Monday 11 March. Families will be able to see what’s going to be available in their area from Monday 4 March and HAF Community Connectors will be on standby to help anyone who needs help when choosing, booking or attending HAF activities.”