Egg-citing news - the Holiday Activity and Food Programme is back this spring!

With funding from the Department for Education, children in the district will have access to free activities during the spring school holidays this year.  

The spring programme of activities and events will provide young people with opportunities to socialise with peers, learn, and develop their skills. There is a diverse range of activities to participate in, including sports and craft activities, forest school, circus skills, family trips to Westonbirt, cookery classes and Water Park activities too. 

The Spring Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) program will be running from 25 March to 5 April, with specific eligibility criteria, catering to children in school reception classes up to year eleven who are recipients of benefits-related free school meals. 

Using additional funding we are also able to run the Holiday Activity Programme (HAP). This programme of free holiday activities is offered to all children between the ages of four and sixteen across the district, regardless of free school meal eligibility. 

Cllr Claire Bloomer, Cabinet Member for Cost of Living and Inclusion, said, “It’s so important that children and families are supported through our district and I'm really pleased we’re able to provide another Holiday Activity and Food Programme, in partnership with World Jungle and the County Council. 

“These activities will provide much-needed enrichment for children during the spring school holiday, and they will also be provided with nutritious meals which are so beneficial to their health and wellbeing.” 

All activities are available to view now, please visit: https://gloucestershirehaf.com/cotswold-district-haf/ 

Children who have been referred by professionals will be able to book on to the activities before the booking system officially opens. 

The activity booking system will officially open to all on Monday 11 March at 12pm. 

To sign up to the Children’s Activity Booking system (CABs): https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf/ 

Family support is also available through our Community Connectors, Bloodhound Education, as part of the Spring Holiday Activity and Food Programme 2024. 

They are on hand to help with booking activities, organising transport to attend activities and signposting families to other agencies where a need has been identified. 

To get in touch with Bloodhound Education, please email accounts@bloodhoundeducation.com or phone 0208 150 3767 (Monday to Friday, 9:30am - 2:30pm).