The tinsel is out for another Holiday Activity and Food programme!
Cotswold District Council is working in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council and local community organisation World Jungle to deliver another Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) for eligible children across the Cotswold district this winter.
The winter program 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 Pantomime tickets, ice skating, family engineering and Christmas parties.
With funding from the Department for Education, children in the Cotswold district will have access to free activities during the Christmas holidays this year.
The Winter Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) program will be available from 16 December to 6 January, with specific eligibility criteria, catering to children in school reception classes up to year eleven who are recipients of benefits-related free school meals.
Furthermore, through grant funding, we are also able to offer the Holiday Activity Program (HAP), which includes holiday activities for all children aged five to sixteen across the district, regardless of free school meal eligibility.
Robert Weaver, Chief Executive of Cotswold District Council, said: “I’m really pleased we are able to offer these free activities for another year, in partnership with the County Council and World Jungle.
“The Christmas period can be a difficult time financially and I’m confident these activities will help a lot of families across the district.”
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 4 December.
To sign up to the Children’s Activity Booking system (CABs): https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf/
Contact Information
Cotswold District Council Communications Team
Notes to editors
Further information:
Family support is also available through our Community Connectors, Bloodhound Education, as part of the Winter Holiday Activity and Food Programme 2023. 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).