West Suffolk Council Launches Free Summer Activities for Children in Need

Strategic Insights -

West Suffolk Council, in collaboration with the UK Government, has initiated a programme of free activities for children during the school summer holidays. The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme aims to support children under 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals. As part of this initiative, West Suffolk Council has made free discretionary places available to other families in need of support, in addition to the funded places. These activities are coordinated locally by West Suffolk Council on behalf of Suffolk County Council.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is primarily aimed at children under 16 who receive benefits-related free school meals, with a focus on supporting those in need.
  • West Suffolk Council is using some of the funding to make free discretionary places available to other families in need of support who would otherwise be ineligible for HAF.
  • The summer programme includes a range of activities such as swimming, sports, arts and crafts, film making, theatre trips, horse riding, roller skating, outdoor cooking, and STEM programs, among others.
  • West Suffolk Council is working with 26 partner organisations to offer a total of 4,508 places across 392 sessions during the school summer holidays.
  • Information about HAF activities has been sent to schools, and families with children on benefits-related free school meals can book through an online platform called Eequ.
  • Discretionary places are limited and will be decided on a first-come, first-served basis by Suffolk County Council.

Statistics:

  • 4,508 places available across 392 sessions during the school summer holidays.
  • 26 partner organisations are participating in the HAF programme.
  • Families who are ineligible for HAF but need support can apply for discretionary places, subject to prior approval from Suffolk County Council.

Sources:

  • West Suffolk Council
  • UK Government
  • Suffolk County Council
  • Citizen's Advice West Suffolk
  • Facebook (West Suffolk Council's #westsuffolksummerhaf25 posts)
  • Instagram (West Suffolk Council's #westsuffolksummerhaf25 posts)
  • Eequ online platform
  • Government's HAF scheme
  • Building Resilience and Nutrition Fund
  • Thriving Communities funding
  • Council tax relief scheme
  • West Suffolk Local Plan
  • Developers and housing providers