Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) clubs will run in half term holidays this school year, in addition to the main school holidays, starting this October half term.

The extended HAF club programmes are being provided with £200,000 of funding from the council’s £2 million Cost of Living Fund.

Families with children aged between five and fifteen years old on Free School Meals can access the clubs for free through a voucher scheme, to ensure holiday activities are accessible to as many people as possible.

The programme provides kids who might not otherwise get an opportunity to take part in a range of exciting activities and receive nutritious meals. Kids can try something new, build skills, meet new friends, and simply have fun in the school holidays.

The extended half term HAF club programmes under the council’s Cost of Living Fund builds on the Department for Education’s funding of HAF in the main school holidays and will benefit more than 1,000 children each holiday.

Councillor Billy Christie, Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services said:

“Holidays Activities and Food clubs give Merton’s children from the lowest income families the experience of fun, action-packed and stimulating holidays.

“There are activity sessions and trips available as well as free, tasty and nutritious food.

“We are proud that Merton Council is extending HAF clubs to half terms this school year with £200,000 of funding from our Cost of Living Fund.

“So, this school year in addition to the Christmas, Easter and summer holidays, kids can enjoy clubs in the half term holidays too, supporting around 1,000 children each holiday.”

Check your eligibility for Free School Meals under the Pupil Premium on our website here.