The holiday activities and food (HAF) programme provides free holiday club sessions.
They're for school-aged children (from Reception to Year 11) who get benefits-related free school meals. It's funded by the Department for Education.
HAF provision
The HAF programme has been extended for another year.
The last confirmed delivery period is winter (Christmas holidays) 2025 to 2026.
Sheffield schools
We want to liaise with Sheffield schools that are interested in delivering the HAF Programme in this final year of confirmed funding.
The upcoming delivery periods are:
- summer
- October
- winter (Christmas holidays)
If your school is interested in delivering a HAF club, please contact hafprogramme@sheffield.gov.uk.
Community-based HAF providers
Sheffield has local voluntary sector HAF Coordinators that commission and coordinate HAF activities across our 7 school locality areas.
As we enter the final year of confirmed funding, we're not currently looking to expand the programme with additional community-based HAF providers. The availability of places is meeting the level of interest from families.
However, if you're a local grassroots organisation, or a Sheffield-based charity, that already delivers activities to children receiving benefits-related free school meals, but are not currently part of the HAF programme, we would like to hear from you.
Please contact your relevant HAF coordinator.
| School Locality | Areas of Sheffield | VCS HAF Coordinator | Contact Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Southey, High Green, Chapeltown, Grenoside, Ecclesfield, Foxhill, Burncross, Parsons Cross, Brightside, Longley |
SOAR Community SOAR Community Sheffield |
Nicola White |
| B | Firth Park, Shirecliffe, Shiregreen |
SOAR Community SOAR Community Sheffield |
Nicola White |
| B | Burngreave, Firvale, Carwood, Pitsmoor | Saalik Youth Project |
Imran Ali |
| C | Manor, Arbourthorne, Darnall, Norfolk Park, Tinsley, Richmond, Woodhouse |
MCDT |
Rosey Andrassy |
| D | Westfield, Beighton, Birley, Handsworth, Woodhouse, Mosborough, Hackenthorpe |
SWFCP |
Robbie Grayson |
| E | Gleadless, Heeley, Batemoor, Jordanthorpe, Lowedges & Meadowhead | Sheffield City Council |
Mollie Park |
| F | Sharrow, Broomhall, Nether Edge, Highfield, Lowfield, Abbeydale. |
Sharrow Community Forum |
Rachel Cosens |
| G | Hillsborough, Stannington, Stocksbridge, Upperthorpe. |
ZEST |
Natalie Thomas |
What the holiday clubs offer
The funded holiday clubs are free and offer many activities during:
- Easter
- summer
- October
- winter school holidays
These include:
- sports
- dance
- drama
- songwriting
- trips
Children also receive a nutritious meal whilst at the club.
Unique child HAF codes
To book holiday activities, you'll need your child’s unique HAF code.
All eligible children have been sent their unique HAF code by post.
To receive a HAF code, you must receive benefits-related free school meals. This is different to universal free school meals that all children in Key Stage 1 (Reception to Year 2) receive.
New applicants
All new benefits-related free school meal applicants will receive a unique HAF code by letter once the claim has been approved.
When you can book
You can book holiday activities on the HAF programme from Friday 4 July 2025 at 3pm.
How to book a place
You can book holiday activities with food online or by phoning, texting or emailing an activity provider. You'll need your child’s unique HAF code.
Visit the Sheffield Healthy Holidays website for more information including how to book.
Benefits-related free school meals
If you don't currently get benefits-related free school meals, you can apply online. The process is quick and easy.
If you're eligible, you'll be issued a HAF code by letter.
Find out more on our Free school meals page.
If you've lost your unique child HAF Code
If you require your child's unique HAF Code, then you'll need to Report a problem with your HAF Code.
Alternatively, you can get in touch with us. We do our best to respond within one working day.
If you require any more information then get in touch with us.
If you need to contact a HAF club provider, you can find their details on Sheffield Healthy Holidays.
