Aims/priorities: The Holiday activities and food programme is a government initiative that aims to provide healthy, hot food and enriching activities during the school holidays, primarily to children and young people aged 5 to 16 who are in receipt of benefits related free school meals. It is funded by the Department for Education (DfE). The aim is for children and young people to socialise, learn and play during the specified holiday periods, enjoy a hot meal and have fun.
There are many benefits for children who attend the HAF programme. We want to encourage all HAF providers to ensure a high quality experience that will result in children:
- 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
- Families can also benefit, when HAF providers include their needs in planning and delivering their programme. This could be through:
- providing opportunities to get involved in cookery classes
- ensuring they are signposted towards other sources of information and support, such as health services or employment and education opportunities
Who can apply? Community and voluntary organisations, not-for-profit companies, registered charities, constituted organisations, social enterprises, schools and private companies operating in Oldham.
Grant amount: Not specified.
Application process: The expression of interest is submitted via a webform on the Oldham Council website. The link to the webform is here.
The webform does not have the functionality to save forms part way through the application process and they would therefore suggest that an initial viewing of the form is undertaken and all required documents are collated before beginning the population of the form. The web team have advised that due to the requirement to upload documents to the weblink, its best to complete the expression of interest via a desktop or laptop, rather than a mobile device. Please be mindful that the webpage will timeout after 30 minutes of inactivity. For ease a Word version of the webform is available here. Whilst they are not able to accept a final submission in this format you will be able to view the questions prior to beginning the webform.
You will also find a budget proposal proforma here. Please use this document to set out your budget proposal and upload to the weblink where prompted. Budget proposals in other formats will not be considered.
The DfE have updated the HAF guidance for 2023, and the expression of interest form is in line with the guidance. They have provided the guidance here. They request that you take some time to consider the updates to the guidance before submitting your expression of interest to ensure your provision can meet the new standards. Please consider carefully how your organisation intends to meet ALL of the required HAF standards. Take some time to consider these questions carefully as they will make up a key element of the panel’s decision making process. It is vital that the team delivering your sessions are aware of the expectations of the programme, how you have stated you will meet them and are able to fulfil them during the delivery period.
Deadline: The strict deadline for the return of expressions of interest via the weblink is on or before Wednesday 15th February 2023. This allows them time to undertake their moderation process, issue grant agreements, raise payments, promote their offer and arrange bookings in good time for the start of the Easter break. The Oldham School Holiday period runs from Monday 3rd April 2023 to Friday 14th April 2023, but please note that some school dates may vary. They can also confirm that the HAF offer for Easter is 4 hours over 4 days of the holiday period.
Contact information: Email the HAF team at our dedicated email address; OldhamHAF@oldham.gov.uk
Website: Holiday activities and food programme (HAF) | Oldham Council