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 October 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) announced an extension of the Holiday and Food (HAF) programme for a further 3 years to provide holiday activities 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.
If you would like to be considered to deliver the HAPpy programme in Spring 2026 , you can complete an
Expression of interest form here. Expressions of Interest will be open from Monday 1st December - Wednesday 17th December 2025. Please ensure you have read the
HAPpy Spring 2026 Delivery Expectations 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 up to £30 per child, per day, or up to £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 prescribed booking platform (training given) and make sure you use it to advertise your places and update your daily register?