North Northamptonshire Council to Extend Free Holiday Activities and Meals

North Northamptonshire Council is set to recommission its Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides free meals and a range of sports, arts, cultural and educational activities for children aged 5 to 16 during school holidays. The proposal, to be considered by the council executive on 11 August, would continue funding that is supplied entirely by the UK Department for Education and targets pupils eligible for free school meals as well as other vulnerable young people, including those with special educational needs and disabilities.

The current contract, delivered by Northamptonshire Sport, ends in March 2027. The council plans a competitive procurement process for a new two‑year contract with optional extensions, while the Department for Education has confirmed funding through at least the 2028/29 financial year. In the summer of 2024, more than 2,600 children took part in over 24,000 activity days, with 95 % of parents saying their child enjoyed the sessions and 93 % noting an improvement in wellbeing. The programme was also recognised with the Northamptonshire Business Excellence Award for Community Project of the Year in 2024.