ELIGIBLE families in Devon can now book a wide range of activities for their children to take part in over the upcoming Easter holidays as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

Funded by the Government’s Department for Education and administered locally by Devon County Council (DCC), the scheme offers free physical activities and healthy, nutritional hot meals during school holidays to children of low-income families.

DCC teamed up with over 80 different activity providers across Devon to offer more than 6,000 places to children aged five to 16 years old, who receive benefit-related free school meals.

As usual there is a wide range of activities to choose from, cooking and craft, sports and coaching, outdoor and forest play, music and dance and more. All clubs will be operating for a minimum of four hours for four days and will include a hot meal.  

Details of activities can be found on DCC’s interactive map.

If your child is eligible to access the programme, simply search for a provider in your area, have a look at their listing to see what they’re offering, then when you’re ready, book a place with them directly. 

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, our Cabinet Member with responsibility for Children’s Services, said: ‘I am pleased that so many children and young people in Devon are benefiting from the HAF programme.

‘The school holidays can be particularly difficult for some families, and this scheme is making a real difference. It helps to keep children active during the holidays, provide them with a nutritious meal, and support them to learn new skills and make new friends in a safe and fun environment.

‘Thank you to our providers who, once again, have a fantastic and varied range of activities on offer. It looks like it’s going to be an action packed Easter holiday and if your child is eligible, I encourage you to book their place as soon as possible.’

► For more information about our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, including the eligibility criteria and booking process, please visit DCC’s website.