Liverpool City Council has been allocated funding by the Department of Education to provide holiday activities and healthy food for children.
The focus of the programme is on children eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Local authorities are asked to ensure that the offer of free holiday club provision is available for all children eligible for benefits-related free school meals although it is accepted that not all eligible children will choose to participate. The programme will cover the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays in 2024/25.
Merseyside Play Action Council have been awarded the contract to deliver the HAF programme in Liverpool. We will be building on the success of the Play Partnership and Positive About Play to deliver the HAF programme, but we will be on the lookout for more local organisations to get involved to support children and young people across the city over the summer.
The aim of the programme is to make free places available to children eligible for benefits -related free school meals for the equivalent of at least four hours a day, four days a week and for six weeks a year and would help children and young people:
• To eat more healthily over the school holidays (programmes will be expected to work towards the school food standards as part of the programme)
• To be more active during the school holidays
• To take part in engaging and enriching activates which support the development of resilience, character, and well-being along with their wider education attainment
• To be safe and not to be socially isolated
• To have greater knowledge of health nutrition; and
• To be more engaged with school and other local services.
This is a great opportunity to get children and young people involved in local activities – and after the year and a bit we have all had, it’s really important that get our local communities moving again.
Colin Heaney – HAF Coordinator
HAF@merseyplay.com #HAF2024
If you want to know how to register or how to check if your child is eligible for free school meals then please click on the link https://www.gov.uk/apply-free-school-meals
If you are struggling with the cost of living then please click: https://www.liverpool.gov.uk/cost-of-living/
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. Click on the link to find out how to register https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/
If your child is not eligible for benefits related free school meals you may be eligible for support with childcare costs – https://www.gov.uk/childcare-calculator
Click HERE for a map of community food spaces near you
The Family Information and SEND Directory also provides a wealth of useful information and support for families – FISD
