East Suffolk Council
Free holiday activities and food this summer
Filmmaking, theatre, cooking, sport, mindfulness, STEM and outdoor adventure are just some of the free activities on offer during the school holidays across East Suffolk this summer.
Numerous organisations across the district are providing fun and enriching activities and food as part of a programme of experiences for children and young people over the coming weeks. There are 46 programmes on offer with over 7,700 places available.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has been funded by the UK Government for three years providing over £200m per year for enriching activities for children and young people, particularly those in receipt of free school meals. The HAF programme is overseen by Suffolk County Council and coordinated locally by East Suffolk Council.
Holiday activities are varied and can introduce young people to new experiences and skills, from dance and drama to cooking and filmmaking, as well providing opportunities for physical and social activity.
In Suffolk, the programme is targeted at those eligible for benefits-related free school meals, and other vulnerable children, or those with additional needs who would benefit from accessing the programme.
Cllr Sarah Whitelock, East Suffolk Council's cabinet member for Communities, Culture, Leisure and Tourism said: “Holiday activity programmes enable young people to get involved in a wide range of different activities to help keep them active over the summer holidays, benefitting both their physical and mental health. The activities are a way for children to meet new people and learn new skills. They also provide support for families who may be struggling with the costs of food and energy during the school holidays."
Each funded holiday activity also offers a free meal, and places are redeemed by eligible families through the booking system Eequ. Families can select the programmes and dates they wish to attend, and which young people will be attending. The booking system will ask about HAF eligibility, and the booking will be reviewed and approved by the HAF team at Suffolk County Council.
Activity providers include Kicks and Tricks Ltd, Abbeycroft Leisure, Premier Sports, the Football Fun Factory, Everyone Active, Kinda Education, Catch22, Oulton Broad Water Sports Centre, the Art Station, Footstars, Marina Theatre, Suffolk Wildlife Trust (Carlton Marshes), Suffolk Wildlife Trust (Foxburrow), Next Thing Education, East Suffolk Council, Xtra Time Sports Development, Earthwake, Ipswich Town FC, ASSET Education, Re-Utillise, Britten Pears Arts, Africa Alive, Offshoot, the PE Shed, Inspire Suffolk, MiniMe Mindfulness, Grow Cook Eat and Dialled Cycle works.
East Suffolk Council’s Customer Services team is available to support anyone needing help completing the online booking form. The team can be called on 03330 162000.