Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2025

Summer Holiday, Activities and Food Programme #HAF2025

Children with Medals

FREE activities and food from 28 July - 21 August 2025 for children, young people and their families who are in receipt of benefit related Free School Meals 

What is planned for Summer 2025? 

Funded by the Department for Education, the aim of the HAF programme is to offer free holiday clubs or activity places over the school holidays to children who are in receive benefits-related free school meals. 

We are aiming to fund a 16-day summer programme with a diverse range of enriching, fun and physical activities and food which are attractive and engaging for all ages and abilities of children and young people. 

We hope that by doing this that eligible children and young people across Milton Keynes, will be supported 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 

The Summer Holiday Activities and Food Programme will take place from 28 July – 21 August 2025. 

Each HAF activity session should: 

  • operate for a minimum of four hours a day 

  • include both enriching and physical activities to create a balanced programme for children and young people, ensuring they have a holistic and varied experience 

  • incorporate helping children to understand more about the benefits of healthy eating and nutrition into their programme as well as stigma-free opportunities to support children and young people in learning about healthy lifestyles and exercise 

  • include a healthy hot meal for each attendee (can be cooked on-site or delivered via a caterer or food business) 

  • HAF grant-funded holiday activities can only be provided to children living in Milton Keynes who receive benefits-related free school meals 

  • Be able to demonstrate an ability to deliver activities in line with the government HAF guidance 

How can providers apply to deliver HAF funded sessions;   

If you are interested in applying, please email HAF@milton-keynes.gov.uk and request a Summer HAF Expression of Interest (EOI) pack which will include some helpful FAQs alongside the application form.  

The deadline for Summer 2025 applications is Friday 09 May 2025.. 

It is anticipated decisions regarding funding for summer will be made early June 2025. 

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

 

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 and 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 that phase of schooling (primary or secondary).

If you think you may be eligible for Free School Meals, please contact your child's school or click the link below to apply.

Milton Keynes Council Free School Meals Application

HAF Annual report 2023-24

Please see information and family feedback on the HAF programme here in MKCC HAF Annual report 2023-24.

Cost of living support

If you are worried about your finances and how you are going to make ends meet, there is help available. Please find below links to some of the support available to the residents of Milton Keynes. Read our cost of living help factsheet. 

Help with paying your rent and Council Tax

Help with essential costs including food and energy  

  • Local Welfare Provision – MKC funded to provide essential support in the event of an emergency
  • Food Bank - The provision of food, fuel, and small essential items, mostly in partnership with voluntary and charity groups
  • SOFEA - support with food through community larders,  as well as wellbeing support.

Benefits calculator

Not on benefits or need to apply for another benefit

If you are not already receiving a benefit, the first thing you should do is make a new claim. Use the benefit calculator to work out which benefit you should claim.

You can also use this link if you are already receiving a benefit but wish to know if you should claim another benefit, such as Universal Credit.

Other government support

There are benefits you may be entitled to if your income is low or has gone down. 

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.

Holiday Activities and Food Programme #HAF2025

Holiday Activities and Food Programme #HAF contact information

Also interested in

The DfE holiday activities and food programme guidance
School food standards