Leicester HAF summer activities open for free places

Children in Leicester who receive benefits-related free school meals can now be registered for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, a summer scheme offering activity sessions and food during the school break.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis to children who live in Leicester, receive benefits-related free school meals, and meet the age range for the programme they choose.

Activities across the city from museums to basketball

The Leicester programme is being delivered by more than 40 providers at sites around the city, according to Leicester City Council. Sessions include art, sport and outdoor activities, with a healthy meal provided as part of each session.

For younger children aged 6 to 11, Leicester’s museums service is offering activities at Abbey Pumping Station during the summer. Children aged 8 to 16 who are interested in basketball can sign up for a programme at Mattioli Arena run by the Leicester Riders Foundation.

Older children aged 14 to 16 can choose a leisure centre pass instead of a programmed activity. That pass can be used for gym sessions, swimming or booking a court at the city council’s leisure centres.

Families looking for other local summer options may also want to keep an eye on free Leicester family activities as the school break approaches.

Four weeks of free provision for eligible families

Eligible families can sign up to four weeks of free provision over the summer holiday. Most programmes run for four hours a day over four days, although some providers are offering more flexible formats with different daily hours.

Children who take part in regular programmed sessions will receive a healthy meal. Those choosing a leisure centre pass will receive a food voucher instead of a meal each time they use the pass, up to a maximum of 16 food vouchers across the holiday period.

The scheme is funded through the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme, which supports children from low-income families to stay active and eat well during school holidays.

Registration closes when sessions fill

Information about the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme has been circulated to children through schools. Families are being asked to choose preferred schemes as soon as possible because registration for each session will close once all places have been filled.

Assistant city mayor Cllr Elaine Pantling said the long summer holiday can be a struggle for many families, and that the scheme is intended to help children who usually receive a free school meal have activities and food without extra cost.

Full closing dates for registration are listed on each provider’s booking page at families.leicester.gov.uk/haf. Families who think their child should receive free school meals can check eligibility at freeschoolmeals.leicester.gov.uk.

Children who do not receive benefits-related free school meals may also be able to register for the programme for a fee. Families should contact the relevant provider directly for details.

Source: Leicester City Council