Support for families over the summer holidays

Families who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals can now register for the summer Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) funded by the Department for Education. Now in its second year, the programme is going from strength to strength, and last year provided over 26,377 HAF activity sessions for children to enjoy and nutritious food through hampers and meals.

This summer, using grant funding, the council is once again able to extend fun holiday activities to all children and young people in the county, through its Holiday Activities Programme (HAP).

Both the HAF and HAP programmes will run for four weeks from 1 – 26 August and families can register from today. Activities include drama, various sports, art, and crafts as well as ticketed attractions. More information is available at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.

Families eligible for benefits-related free school meals can also apply for Holiday Food Hampers and Holiday Free School Meal vouchers. More information about the hampers can be found here www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf.

Holiday Free School Meal vouchers are available to cover the remaining two weeks of the summer holidays when the HAF isn't running. Parents will receive £30 per child (£15 per week, per child) from reception to year 11. Applications are open now and will close at midday on 12 July. Find out more at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/holiday-school-meal-vouchers/

Families who need additional support can apply to the Household Support Fund which supports households in the most need with food, energy and water bills and other essential items.

The campaign, called 'Plastic Free July', will also provide information to people on what reusable and plastic-free alternatives are available.