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. The programme is funded by the Department for Education.
We are pleased to announce that the Holiday Activities with Food Programme has been extended for another year, ensuring continued support for children and families in need.
The last confirmed delivery period is winter (Christmas holidays) 2025/2026.
HAF provision
Sheffield schools:
We are eager to liaise with Sheffield schools that are interested in delivering the Holiday Activities with Food (HAF) Programme in this final year of confirmed funding.
The upcoming delivery periods are summer, October and winter (Christmas holidays).
If your school is interested in delivering a HAF club at your school, please email us.
Community-based HAF providers:
Sheffield has local voluntary sector HAF Coordinators which commission and coordinate HAF activities across our seven school locality areas.
As we enter the final year of confirmed funding, we are not currently looking to expand the programme with additional community-based HAF providers. At this time, the availability of places is meeting the level of interest from families.
However, if you are 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 |
Paul Hebda |
| 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 (free) holiday clubs offer many activities during the Easter, summer, October and winter school holidays. These include sports, dance, drama, songwriting and trips.
Children also receive a nutritious meal whilst at the club.
Unique child HAF codes
To book holiday activities you will need your child’s unique HAF code. All eligible children have been sent their unique HAF code by post.
All new benefits related free school meal applicants will receive a unique HAF code by letter once the claim has been approved.
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.
When you can book a place for your child
You can book holiday activities on the HAF programme from Friday 4 July 2025 at 3pm.
How to book a place for your child
You can book Holiday Activities with Food online or directly by phone, text, email with an activity provider. To do so you will 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 do not currently get benefits-related free school meals, you can apply online. The process is quick and easy. If you are eligible you will 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, please complete this form.
Opening Hours:
Our usual telephone hours are 9.30am to 4pm.
Should you need to contact a HAF club, contact information for HAF club providers can be found on the Sheffield Healthy Holidays website under the ‘book by phone’ section.
