Ealing Council is delighted to be delivering the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme, which is being funded by the Department for Education. 

Funds have been made available to provide free holiday activities and a healthy nutritional meal for school-aged children (Reception to Year 11) who are in receipt of benefits-related free school meals. Eligible children can access holiday provision for a maximum of five days per week for four weeks over the summer, and there is no minimum attendance.

Activities across the borough

There are more than 50 HAF activity providers out there in the borough – offering a fantastic range of free activities for children and young people this summer, running from Monday, 26 July – Friday, 27 August. Activities include arts and crafts, sports, outdoor activities, cooking, drama, music and much more.

Some places are still available. To book visit: Ealing Families Directory webpage

Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, cabinet member for a Fairer Start said: “The children are enjoying activities during the summer, learning life skills and making friends. The HAF programme allows children to participate in activities in their holidays that they might not normally have had access to, and a healthy meal. The legacy of this programme is that children get a great start, this is a brilliant foundation that will truly enrich their lives.”

The Ealing Trailfinders Foundation based at Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club is one of the 50 HAF providers for Ealing’s free summer Holiday Activities and Food programme (HAF). With professional sports coaches for children to increase their sporting and athletic abilities, using a games-based coaching structure and based on four key sports: rugby, football, netball and cricket.

“We are teaching them life skills that they can build on. They can become athletes and even Olympic champions. It all starts here,” said Nick Allso, project manager at Ealing Trailfinders Foundation.

Children are offered a freshly prepared meal, made on site by the Trailfinders Sports Club professional in-house chef, and is based on the menu prepared for the professional rugby players of Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Team.

“The quality of food that the children are eating is great and they are having real conversations around food. We are hoping to get a nutritionist to come out and play a game called Good Food – Bad Food to teach them more,” said Nick. “There is no stigma between the children. No one knows who is receiving a free lunch and who is subsidised.”

The Ealing Trailfinders Foundation are also offering discounted tickets to children attending their HAF programme to attend rugby games throughout the year.

More than just a summer holiday programme

Polly Bradley, Family Information Service manager at the council, said: “This is the pilot year for Ealing, and we hope this is only the beginning of the holiday activities and food programme and that it will grow into something bigger and better.”

Keep up to date with HAF activity opportunities

The next HAF programme will run during the Christmas holidays.

If you have any questions relating to the HAF programme, visit the website or email HAF@ealing.gov.uk