Free school holiday activities are on offer to help children from families in Haverhill and across West Suffolk who need support.
The Easter holiday programme of activities is Government funded and has been coordinated by West Suffolk Council on behalf of Suffolk County Council.
It is 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.
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.
Other families in West Suffolk who are ineligible for HAF but who need support, should contact the activity provider for the activities that they are interested in to ask about discretionary places. Contact details can be seen on the same Eequ link.
- Adventure Days with Explore Outdoor (Abbeycroft)
- Limitless Activities with Westfield
- Family Park Cooking with Explore Outdoor (Abbeycroft)
- Free swim and lunch with Abbeycroft
- Dough disco and music therapy with the Sunflower SEND Hub
- Easter Mega Sports Camp with Prestige Sports Development
- Premier Education with Clements Academy
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