Skip to main content

Wandsworth Connected – Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme – Information for potential providers

What is the Holiday Activity and Food Programme

The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme is funded by the Department of Education (DfE) to enable the provision of activities and food for children over the Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays, with a focus on those in receipt of benefit related free school meals.

Research has shown that the school holidays can be pressure points for some families. For some children this can lead to a holiday experience gap, with children from low-income households being:

  • less likely to access organised out-of-school activities
  • more likely to experience ‘unhealthy holidays’ in terms of nutrition and physical health
  • more likely to experience social isolation

The HAF programme is a response to this issue, with evidence showing that free holiday clubs can have a positive impact on children and young people, and that they work best when they:

  • provide consistent and easily accessible enrichment activities
  • cover more than just breakfast or lunch
  • involve children (and parents) in food preparation
  • use local partnerships and connections, particularly with the voluntary and community organisation sector

As a result of this programme, we want children who attend this provision to:

  • receiving healthy and nutritious meals
  • maintaining a healthy level of physical activity
  • being happy, having fun and meeting new friends
  • developing a greater understanding of food, nutrition and other health-related issues
  • taking part in fun and engaging activities that support their development
  • feeling safe and secure
  • getting access to the right support services
  • returning to school feeling engaged and ready to learn

We also want to ensure that the families who participate in this programme:

  • develop their understanding of nutrition and food budgeting
  • are signposted towards other information and support, for example, health, employment, and education

The Wandsworth Approach

In Wandsworth we are ambitious in what we want to deliver for our children, young people and families.

We have listened to our communities, worked together with children, parents, carers, schools and community providers and they have told us that they need and want activities to take place in spaces that are familiar, local to them and in which they feel comfortable and allow them to build relationships and feel part of a community.  We also want to be responsive in what we offer and provide diversity of opportunity to all.

With this in mind we would like to develop both a Core Offer of provision and a range of Special Projects.

For the Core Offer we are looking to offer consistency to our children young people and families from organisations who will be able to develop and encourage positive relationships with our children, young people and families.  We would like to fund both local providers and dedicated providers delivering from familiar community venues (such as schools) to provide good quality, dependable activities which offer the opportunity for children and young people to make connections, be engaged and most importantly have fun. 

The Special Projects offer will run in conjunction with the Core Offer and provide a range of opportunities that respond to a specific need (i.e. Mental Health Support, Knife Crime Reduction etc) or provide opportunity to participate in something out of the ordinary (i.e. Diving camp).  

To allow for this to happen we have changed our funding procedures to enable providers to secure funding for one, two or all three of the HAF eligible holidays with one application.  This will both cut down on the amount of admin time required to submit bids and offer security of funding to ensure that providers can effectively resource plan.

How to Apply for Funding

You can apply by reading the “Wandsworth Connected Guidance and Criteria – HAF 2023-24” and “Example bid form with notes – HAF 2023-24” then completing the “Wandsworth Connected – HAF Bid Form 2023-24”.  All documents can be found in the downloads section on this page.  You must then send the completed form to WandsworthHAF@Wandsworth.gov.uk by the deadline below.

When are the bid submission deadlines

All bids must be received in the WandsworthHAF@wandsworth.gov.uk email inbox by Midnight, Sunday 8th October 2023

You will be notified of the outcome of your bid by 10th November 2023 along with the payment schedule and next steps.

Unlike previous years we are unable to guarantee an Easter or Summer funding round – We would strongly advise anyone wishing to deliver in Easter and Summer to put their bids in now, even if you do not wish to deliver over winter.

Further Support

All the information you should need can be found in the ““Wandsworth Connected Guidance and Criteria – HAF 2023-24” and “Example bid form with notes – HAF 2023-24”  found in the Downloads section this page.  However, if after reading this you would like any further information about Wandsworth HAF or to talk through your application with a member of the team please email WandsworthHAF@Wandsworth.gov.uk

There will be a virtual provider event at 14:30 on Wednesday 13th September where you can meet the team and receive pointers on how to complete your form. You can join the event by clicking this link Click here to join the meeting  Alternatively if you would like to be send an e-invite please email WandsworthHAF@Wandsworth.gov.uk

Last updated: 07 Sep 2023