The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme offers healthy food and fun activities during the Christmas, Easter and summer school holidays for free. Every club provides:
- at least one healthy meal a day
- physical activities, such as sport or dance
- creative activities, such as arts, crafts or cooking
- a safe place to socialise and learn new skills.
The Department for Education funds HAF. Local and national providers run the clubs across Bath and North East Somerset. Each provider has experience in delivering high quality holiday camps and offer different activities, camps and trips.
Your child should bring a refillable drinks bottle and wear clothing that is suitable for indoor and outdoor activities.
Your child can get a HAF place if they are school-aged, from Reception to Year 11, live in Bath and North East Somerset, and get benefits-related free school meals.
Benefits-related free school meals (FSM) are available if your family gets one of the qualifying benefits and your child’s school or local council has checked your claim.
Changes from September 2026
From September 2026, all children in household that get Universal Credit will be entitled to free school meals.
What this means for your child
Your child may be able to get free school meals if your household gets Universal Credit. Some extra support, including HAF, will still have separate eligibility rules.
Types of free school meals
From September 2026, there will be 2 types of free school meals for families who get benefits.
- Targeted free school meals: your child may get these if your family meets the current low-income rules, including families who get Universal Credit and earn £7,400 or less a year. These children can still get Pupil Premium funding and HAF support.
- Expanded free school meals: your child may get these if your family gets Universal Credit and earns more than £7,400 a year. These children can still get free school meals, but they will not be able to get HAF support.
If you are not sure which type applies to your child, contact your child’s school or the B&NES Free School Meals Team at freeschoolmeals@bathnes.gov.uk.
If your child is eligible for HAF, you will receive a unique HAF Pass by text message or email. Use this pass to book activities through the Holiday Activities booking platform.
- HAF Passes will be issued on Thursday 19 November at 6.00pm.
- Each child will get 4 credits, which can be used to book up to four sessions during the Christmas holidays.
HAF Passes are sent directly to the main parent or carer recorded by your child's school. To book activities, follow the link in your text message or email.
If you do not receive your HAF Pass, contact your child's school directly before trying to book.
We will publish the Christmas 2026 brochure soon. It will include activity dates and locations. Keep checking back here.
You can use our directory of HAF providers to see the types of activities that may be available.
We offer specific sessions for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Many mainstream clubs also provide 1-to-1 support.
Some providers may be able to offer places to children who do not get free school meals. Contact your chosen activity provider to discuss eligibility.
Last updated: 26 October 2026