FAQs & Contact Us
Here are answers to our most-asked questions. If you don’t see an answer to your question, fill out our Contact form below and a member of our team will be in touch.
About the programme
What is the It’s About Me Programme?
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, known locally in Derbyshire as ‘It’s About Me’, provides healthy meals, enriching activities and free childcare places to children from low-income families, benefiting their health, wellbeing and learning.
When are the holiday clubs?
The It’s About Me holiday clubs are available during the spring, summer and winter holidays (excludes bank holidays and weekends).
SPRING
Bookings Open: Monday 9th March 2026
Holiday Clubs: Monday 30th March- Friday 10th April 202SUMMER
Bookings Open: Monday 29th June 2026
Holiday Clubs: Thursday 23rd July – Friday 4th September 2026WINTER
Bookings Open: Monday 30th November 2026
Holiday Clubs: Monday 21st December- Thursday 31st December 2026*All dates exclude bank holidays and weekends.
Are clubs available during half-term?
No, It’s About Me holiday clubs are not currently available during half-terms.
How many days can my child attend?
Children and young people are eligible to attend holiday clubs for up to 4 sessions during the spring and winter school holidays and up to 16 sessions during the summer holidays.
Please do not book ‘back-up’ spaces at multiple holiday clubs, as this prevents other families from being able to access funded holiday club spaces.
Is food provided at It’s About Me holiday clubs?
Yes, all It’s About Me holiday clubs include a healthy meal. Please ensure your child’s dietary requirements are included on your child’s booking profile.
Eligibility
Is my child eligible?
The It’s About Me programme is primarily for children in primary or secondary school who receive benefits-related free school meals. View Eligibility Criteria.
Your eligibility code will be sent to you by your child’s school, if you haven’t received your code, please contact your child’s school.
Alternatively, you can contact with Derbyshire County Council directly by email: HAF.enquiries@derbyshire.gov.uk
My child has SEND, how do I find activities suitable for them?
It’s About Me work with a wide variety of providers which specialise in providing activities for children and young people with SEND. View SEND Information.
Alternatively, if you are looking for further support, please visit Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Service for more information.
My child is home-schooled, can they still attend the holiday clubs?
Most home-schooled children are not eligible for benefits-related free school meals and therefore may not eligible for free places at funded holiday clubs.
There are some instances where your home-schooled child/ children may be eligible, if you wish to discuss this please make contact with Derbyshire County Council directly by email: HAF.enquiries@derbyshire.gov.uk
Alternatively, many of our It’s About Me holiday clubs offer paid for places, please contact the holiday club directly to enquire.
Why is the programme only open for children on benefits-related free school meals?
The It’s About Me programme funding is primarily for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who receive benefits- related Free School Meals.
We accept referrals from schools, social workers and other professionals working directly with children, young people and families across Derbyshire via email on HAF.Enquiries@derbyshire.gov.uk
My child is not eligible, what other options are available for them during the holidays?
Many of our It’s About Me holiday clubs also offer paid holiday club spaces. Please contact the holiday club directly to enquire.
Booking Your Activities
How do I book my holiday clubs?
Holiday Clubs can be booked through our website or by contacting the holiday club directly. Follow our How to Book Guide for more information.
You will need your Free School Meal (FSM)/ It’s About Me (IAM)/ Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) code from your child’s school to book.
Where can I find my IAM/ FSM/ HAF code?
Your eligibility code will be sent to you by your child’s school, if you haven’t received your code, please contact your child’s school.
Alternatively, you can contact with Derbyshire County Council directly by email: HAF.enquiries@derbyshire.gov.uk
When do bookings open?
SPRING
Bookings Open: Monday 9th March 2026
Holiday Clubs: Monday 30th March- Friday 10th April 202SUMMER
Bookings Open: Monday 29th June 2026
Holiday Clubs: Thursday 23rd July – Friday 4th September 2026WINTER
Bookings Open: Monday 30th November 2026
Holiday Clubs: Monday 21st December- Thursday 31st December 2026I can no longer attend the session I booked. What should I do?
Please cancel any sessions you have booked and can no longer attend. We have limited places. Sessions which are booked and not attended, incur a cost to the programme and can stop other eligible families from accessing the provision.
Other Services
How can I get regular updates from the programme?
Subscribe to the It’s About Me Newsletter. As well as updates from the programme, we also share links to free/ affordable resources, information and opportunities available to families across Derbyshire.
Do you offer Food Boxes?
A limited number of Food boxes are available during the winter holiday on a first-come, first-served basis. Bookings for the Food Boxes will be announced through our newsletter.
How can I get an Activity Pack?
To complement our face-to-face holiday clubs, we offer a limited number of at-home Activity Packs for Primary and Secondary-aged children during each holiday period. The Activity Packs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Bookings for the Activity Packs will be announced through our newsletter.
Get in touch
Our inbox is checked during office hours Mon- Fri, 9am-4pm.
Safeguarding
If you are worried about a child or young person or have concerns about a holiday club provider you can contact the appropriate authorities using the information below.
Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership
If you have concerns that a child is being harmed or living in circumstances that might be harmful in the future you can find more informaiton on making a report through the The Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership.
The It's About Me Team
The It’s About Me Team should be notified when there are concerns about the behaviour or conduct of an individual or organisation associated with the It’s About Me Programme.
Call: 01629 818 287
Email: derbyshireholidayactivities@streetgames.org