Funding Local Causes

HAPpy Holiday Activity & Food Programme (HAF) 2025 - Summer School Holidays

Grants available to deliver free, fun and enriching activities with food during the School holidays for children aged 4-16 eligible for benefits related free school meals


Supported by Hertfordshire County Council and coordinated by Herts Sports Partnership, Hertfordshire Community Foundation undertakes the application process to fund the delivery of enriching and fun holiday activities including physical activities and food for children eligible for benefits related free school meals.

Important Information:


In January 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) announced a further 1 year extension to the national Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme for reception aged children to year 11 age children inclusive, who are eligible for benefits related free school meals (FSM). Local programmes must include hot food, physical activity and enrichment activities. The programme will continue to run in key school holiday – Spring, Summer and Winter but not in half terms.

As this is the fourth year of the programme, there is a need to introduce more varied provision for Summer, and as a such the expressions of interest are open to any prospective delivery partner who operates in Hertfordshire and would address a need in the programme particularly in the following specialisms and areas:
  • Music
  • Arts and Culture
  • Martial Arts
  • Outdoor Education/Activity
  • Activities specifically aimed at young people aged 12-16

    Priority may also be given to opportunities which propose venues/facilities in the following Local Authority areas;
  • East Herts – particularly in Buntingford, Hertford and Ware
  • Broxbourne – particularly in Cheshunt and Hoddesdon
  • Hertsmere – particularly in Borehamwood
  • Stevenage
  • North Herts – focusing on SEND specific opportunities

    If you would like to be considered to deliver the HAPpy programme in Summer 2025 , you can complete an Expression of interest form here. Expressions of Interest will be open from Monday 3rd March - Monday 24th March 2025. Please ensure you have read the Summer 2025 Delivery Expectations document before completing the expression of interest form.

    Is my organisation eligible to apply for the HAPpy programme?

    In order be be funded to deliver a HAPpy camp you need to be able to answer 'yes' to the following questions.
    Please use the delivery expections to help you check you can do this before you submit your application:


      Can you safely provide a fun and engaging holiday camp with hot food, an hour of physical activity and enrichment activties?


      Does your organisation have relevant experience of delivering similar activities in Hertfordshire?


      Does your organisation pass our standard due diligence?


      Can you deliver in the areas where there is demand for spaces?


      Can you deliver your activities with a budget of £30 per child, per day, or £70 per child per day for SEN camps?


      If you are offered a grant can you ensure all the staff you need for the activities have undertaken mandatory training (provided free by the programme) and you have submitted training records demonstration this by the pre delivery deadline?


      If you are offered a grant can you commit to learning how to use the Playwaze booking platform (training given) and make sure you use it to advertise your places and update your daily register?


    Summer delivery

    If you have previously delivered HAPpy during Summer 2024, Winter 2024 or Spring 2025, you will be sent an application form. If you have delivered before this - please contact us for an application form.

    Please ensure you have read the delivery expectations document before applying.
  • The fund is open to voluntary and community groups, schools, district councils and private providers where their activities meet the charitable objectives of the fund. This includes existing providers who can expand their provision and also groups who can provide innovative and specialised activities. To contact us with any queries about this fund please call 01707 280 346 or email happygrants@hertscf.org.uk for further information.

    Support Available

    Herts Sports Partnership will offer support and resources to groups to enable them to provide the food, nutrition, enrichment and sport activities to the standards required by this programme.

    Access to free relevant training will be offered in support of the programme to successful applicants.

    To contact us with any queries about this fund please call 01707 280 346 or email happygrants@hertscf.org.uk for further information.

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