Boost for holiday activities and food programme

A programme delivered by Derby City Council in partnership with Community Action Derby which provides children with fun activities during the school holidays has received a major boost.

Derby’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has received a further three years of government funding as part of a £600 million national investment.

The programme is for youngsters who receive benefits-related free school meals.

As well as providing fun, engaging activities, the children receive a nutritious lunch at every session.

In Derby, during 2024/25 alone, the programme supported almost 6,000 children including 901 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) and delivered more than 25,000 meals.

The new funding announcement will see around £200 million per year invested into HAF nationally over the next three years.

This will allow the city’s network of activity providers, including specialist SEND provision, to grow further and give children of all ages and abilities something to look forward to during school breaks.