Activities and free meals offered to vulnerable families in Hampshire

They are funding more than 100 fun schemes for eligible children over the Christmas school holidays, as part of its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.  

Using the funding provided by the Department for Education, the County Council - with the support of local providers - has secured a programme of activities and healthy meals for children who receive income-based free school meals during term time.  

Councillor Roz Chadd, the County Council’s deputy leader and executive lead Member for Children’s Services, said: “This will be our second year running the HAF programme over Christmas and we can safely say that this year the additional support is needed more than ever before. After a tough year of rising costs, many families are already extremely stretched financially.

"The winter period – and in particular the festive season – are only likely to add further strain to those challenges, especially for Hampshire’s most vulnerable families.  

“I hope that the programme will go some way to easing those pressures and I would encourage as many eligible families as possible to sign up to their local schemes. Finally, I want to thank all of our providers for their support in delivering this important programme.” 

In total, the County Council has awarded more than £600,000 to 49 providers. Schools, childcare providers, community groups, and sports activity providers are among those delivering 127 schemes across the whole of Hampshire this Christmas.

Over 22,000 free places are available for children who receive income-based free school meals, and for children of other vulnerable families.  

The upcoming Christmas itinerary follows a successful summer programme, which saw almost £1.9 million awarded to HAF providers and more than 11,600 children accessing schemes across the county.  

To find out more search the Family Information and Services Hub or contact your local providers to sign up to schemes.