Free half-term activities and healthy meals available for eligible Bury families

Bury families are being encouraged to make the most of an expanded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme this half term, offering free activities, healthy meals and enriching experiences for eligible children and young people.

The HAF Programme is funded by the UK Government and co-ordinated locally by Bury Council. It supports children and young people who receive benefits-related Free School Meals, helping them stay active, socialise with friends and access nutritious food during the school holidays.

To support families during the holidays, Bury Council has expanded its HAF Programme, creating more opportunities for children and young people to take part in a wide range of activities and experiences across the borough.

The programme offers everything from sports, arts and crafts, outdoor activities and wellbeing sessions to opportunities to learn new skills, make friends and have fun in a safe and supportive environment.

The reminder comes as the school holiday food voucher scheme has now ended following changes to government guidance on the use of the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Importantly, free school meals during term time are not affected and will continue as normal.

Who can access HAF?

Children and young people who are eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals will automatically receive a HAF voucher through the Holiday Activities App.

Parents and carers will receive an email and/or text message explaining how to access their account and use their voucher to book eligible activities and food provision.

Families are encouraged to check their messages for voucher details and book activities as early as possible.

Councillor Sandra Walmsley, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:

"We're pleased to be expanding the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, giving more children and young people across Bury access to healthy meals, exciting activities and valuable opportunities during the school holidays. HAF helps children stay active, build friendships, learn new skills and enjoy positive experiences in a safe and supportive environment. I encourage all eligible families to explore what's on offer and make the most of the programme this half term."

Some children who are not eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals may also be able to access the programme if they are considered vulnerable and would benefit from taking part. In these cases, referrals can be made by professionals working with the family, including:

• Schools
• Family support workers
• Health visitors
• Other relevant support professionals

For more information about the Holiday Activities and Food Programme in Bury, including eligibility criteria and available activities, visit www.bury.gov.uk/haf