Organisations can apply for funding to deliver Holiday Activities and Food this Christmas

Organisations in East Riding of Yorkshire have until 7 October to apply for a grant to deliver Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) over Christmas.

HAF supports children and young people aged 5-16 years who are in receipt of benefits related free school meals (FSM).

There’s up to £5,000 available for organisations to provide activities including sport, play, drama, cooking, crafts, dance, music, healthy lifestyles, art or outdoor adventures. Funding can be spent on management and delivery staff, venues, equipment, volunteer expenses, food, marketing, trips and capital resources. HAF grants can fully fund programmes solely for eligible children and young people who go to school in the East Riding, or part-fund free school meal places on sessions for everyone. There’s a requirement that a meal is to be provided each time pupils attend, and all sessions should be four hours long, but also that shorter sessions for secondary school-aged pupils may be more beneficial. Organisations can apply for funding for just one event or a series of sessions.

Organisations need to adhere to our minimum operating standards which include:

• All staff and volunteers must hold a valid DBS and have undertaken safeguarding training
• A qualified first aider must be present when delivering the programme
• Activities and venues are assessed, with measures put in place to manage identified risks
• All staff to adhere to their organisation’s governance (safeguarding, safer recruitment, equality, privacy and health & safety policies)

Holds public and employer’s liability insurance to a sum of 5 million.

Councillor Victoria Aitken, cabinet member for children, families and education said: “The Holiday Activities and Food programme enables families to enjoy a healthy meal and enriching activities for free across the East Riding. There’s always a great range of activities for children of all ages to enjoy, and I’ve seen how much fun the children, and providers, have!

“Christmas is a particularly exciting time, but can also be an expensive time, so I hope we have lots of providers applying and providing these vital activities to help our families.”

Organisations can apply here up until noon on 7 October: https://eastridingofyorkshirecouncil.flexigrant.com/startapplication.aspx?id=13425