This funding has been made available by Somerset County Council to enable local groups to provide holiday activities including food to children eligible for free school meals in Somerset. This is part of the Government programme which has provided healthy food and enriching activities to disadvantaged children since 2018 and is now being expanded across the whole of England. The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is funded by the Department for Education. Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP) is coordinating the programme and managing the grant making process.

School holidays can be pressure points for some families because of increased costs (such as food and childcare) and reduced incomes. For some children that can lead to a holiday experience gap - with children from disadvantaged families less likely to access organised out-of-school activities; more likely to experience 'unhealthy holidays' in terms of nutrition and physical health; and more likely to experience social isolation. We know that returning to school in poor physical and mental condition can have a detrimental impact on children's mental and physical wellbeing, as well as their educational attainment.

The impact of covid-19 has meant more families are applying for free school meals and of course it has increased social isolation. There are over 13,000 children receiving free school meals (Dec 2020) in Somerset.

The aim of this fund is to make the positive benefits of holiday clubs available to all those on benefits-related free school meals for at least four hours a day, four days a week for six school holiday weeks of the year. For now, we are only inviting applications to cover a minimum of four days days of provision during the 2021 Winter school holiday.

About the Grants

We are seeking to fund a diverse range of projects and enrichment activities which are attractive and engaging for all ages (5 - 16 years) and abilities of school children and include nutritious food.

Activities can be open to all children with priority given to those receiving benefits-related free school meals. Those not on free school meals can pay to attend if there are sufficient spaces. Spaces for children on free school meals will be made available at no cost to the family.

Who can apply?

This fund is open to the voluntary sector, schools and private providers who can meet the charitable objectives of the programme.

When to apply

Applications for funding to support Winter Holiday provision is open. You may apply for as few or as many dates as you feel you can effectively provide. It is preferred that you apply for a minimum of 4 days but applications for single days can be made.

Deadline for applications

11.59pm on Sunday 17th October 2021 - Applications Closed.

Schools Application Form: (for schools providing for own pupils only)

We would like to encourage more schools to think about how they can support their pupils on FSM over the Winter break. Could your school host an activity camp during the Winter holiday?

We have refined the application process so that where schools wish to cater only for pupils at their school, they will be able to do so. The link for that application form is here.

Watch the video below to find out more information about the HAF programme in Somerset and how to apply for funding to deliver a holiday programme in the winter school holidays. The application process is outlined along with expectations for providers, i.e. the centralised booking system. A FAQ document is also provided above.