Summer Holiday, Activities and Food Programme #HAF2023

FREE activities and food from 31 July to 24 August for children, young people and their families who are in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals. 

What is Summer Activities and Food programme?

A range of FREE activities and food for children, young people and their families who are in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals to access from 31 July to 24 August. From fun activities to performing arts, gymnastics, arts, and crafts, multi sports clubs and more, we hope there is something for everyone.

Across Milton Keynes, we have more than 23,300 individual sessions planned for the Summer Holidays. To book your activities, simply browse our programme and contact your chosen providers through the online booking system.

Where can I find the activity programme?

*The Summer Activity Food programme is available to view here and bookings commence 3 July

All activities and sessions will be found in one place and are easy to book by registering with our online booking system. 

Activities and booking – FAQs

How much do these activities cost?

All events are FREE for children, young people and their families who are in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals.

Where can I get an allocation code?                                                    

Evouchers will be distributed to children and young people in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals (FSM) directly from their school on 3 July. Please speak to your child’s school in the first instance if you have not received a code after 3 July.

How do I book on to the sessions?

Please contact providers directly through the HAF online booking system and book your activities using the code allocated from your child’s school. From the 26 June you will be able to view and search for suitable provision and register your interest through the new online booking system here and make bookings from the 3 July. Register your interest and book early to avoid disappointment as spaces are limited.

My child has additional needs, will these events be suitable?

Please speak to individual providers about your child. All providers are able to cater their events for those with special educational needs and disability but will need more specific details to enable the correct support to be put in place ahead of the event.

Is food provided?

All of the activities will include healthy meals. When booking the events with providers they will cater for all dietary requirements.

Is there a limit to the number of activities you can book?

We ask that only one event is booked each day. We hope there is something for everyone in our programme and you may want to take part in multiple activities.

However, we do ask you to only book those events you are sure to attend as 'covering slots just in case' prevents other families from accessing the opportunity.

Am I allowed to book multiple slots with the same provider?

We understand that you may want to book multiple sessions with one provider.  Please bear in mind that we want to enable as many families as possible to access the provision and would recommend booking a range of different activities.  Booking multiple days or activities at one location will be at the discretion of individual providers and is dependent on demand.

The activity I want for my child is fully booked. Should I contact them anyway?

Where possible, our programme is updated to reflect those providers that are fully booked.  In some situations, there may be a waiting list and if so, this will be indicated in the programme.

How is the programme funded?

The council has been awarded grant funding, by the Department for Education (DfE), to coordinate free activities and food, for children in receipt of benefit-related Free School Meals (FSM), during the Spring, Summer, and Winter school holidays in 2023.

We want to offer a diverse range of events this Spring to meet the local interests and needs of children, young people, and their families. We hope this programme of activities will help children and young people to:

• eat more healthily over the school holidays
• be more active during the school holidays
• take part in engaging and enriching activities
• be safe and not to be socially isolated
• have greater knowledge of health and nutrition; and
• be more engaged with school and other local services

 Please email us at HAF@milton-keynes.gov.uk if you have any questions.  

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Free School Meals

Who is eligible?

You must be in receipt of one of the below benefits to be eligible for free school meals for your child/children.

• Income Support
• Employment & Support Allowance – Income related
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (not Contribution Based JSA)
• Child Tax Credit only (with a combined family income of less than £16,190 per annum as assessed by HM Revenues & Customs) Please note, anyone receiving Working Tax Credit, regardless of income, will not qualify for free school meals.
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid four weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you receive)
• National Asylum Seekers Support (NASS)
• Guaranteed Element of Pension Tax Credit

If your child is eligible for free school meals, they’ll remain eligible until they finish the phase of schooling (primary or secondary) they’re in on 31 March 2023.

Please contact your child's school for details of how to apply.

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Cost of living support

To help people through the cost-of-living crisis, the Cabinet has agreed a Winter Plan with a £3.3m package of support. The support is made of City Council funds and Government grants – read it here

From rising energy prices to the price of the weekly shop going up, the cost-of-living crisis is being felt by most people, but for those on low to medium incomes the impact is greatest. If you are worried about your finances and how you are going to make ends meet, there is help available. Please find information on some of the support available to the residents of Milton Keynes. Read our cost of living help factsheet 

NHS Healthy Start scheme

If you are pregnant, or have a child under 4, and you are claiming certain benefits you may be able to get financial help to buy healthy foods and milk under the NHS Healthy Start scheme.

If you’re eligible (check your eligibility here), then you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use at supermarkets, local shops and markets stocking fresh, frozen and tinned fruit and vegetables. You can also take your card to a local children’s centre to collect free vitamins for babies and young children.

It’s much easier to apply, now the scheme has been revised so families can apply online. A list of frequently asked questions can be found here.