Soft play and activities at The Zone, sports camps and swimming are among the free activities taking place in Haverhill during the school summer holidays.
They are part of the national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme which is primarily aimed to support children who receive benefits related free school meals. It was set up to help support them during the school holidays when they may not otherwise get a hot meal.
But discretionary places are also available to other families who could do with a little bit of extra support at this time.
The Summer holiday programme of activities is Government funded and has been coordinated by West Suffolk Council on behalf of Suffolk County Council.
Families with children on benefits related free school meals should have already received information through their school or college about HAF. Booking is through an online platform called Eequ at Search learning experiences · Eequ which details all the HAF activities across Suffolk. Schools have also been given information to help any parents who cannot access online to book. If transport is an issue, Suffolk County Council may be able to help – families are asked to contact HAFenquiries@suffolk.gov.uk
Other families should contact the activity providers to ask about discretionary places. Contact details can be seen on the same Eequ link or through the council’s #westsuffolksummerhaf26 posts on Facebook and Instagram. Discretionary places are limited and will be decided by Suffolk County Council on a first come first served basis.
- Outdoor activities, arts & crafts and soft play at The Zone
- Free swim and lunch with Abbeycroft Leisure
- Premier Education with Clements Academy
- Adventure Days with Explore Outdoor (Abbeycroft)
- Family Park Cooking with Explore Outdoor (Abbeycroft)
- Limitless Activities with Westfield Primary Academy
- Dough disco and music therapy with the Sunflower SEND Hub
- Summer HAF Mega Sports Camp with Prestige Sports Development
HAF is a national programme funded by the Department for Education and coordinated locally by West Suffolk Council on behalf of Suffolk County Council.
It is primarily targeted at children or young people who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Activities are free and sessions include a healthy meal and snacks. Eligible families should have already received information through their school or college about HAF in their area.
There are discretionary free places available to families with children or young people who don’t receive benefits-related free school meals, but who are struggling with the cost-of-living and suffering financial hardship, or who would otherwise be ineligible for HAF. These discretionary places are limited and will be decided by Suffolk County Council on a first come first served basis.
If transport is an issue, Suffolk County Council may be able to help - families are asked to contact HAFenquiries@suffolk.gov.uk