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Sign the petition: Extend the Holiday Activity and Food Programme

13 August 2025
Children in canoe

Extend the Holiday Activity and Food Programme

Since 2021, the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, has played a vital role in ensuring children and young people in underserved communities have happy, healthy holidays.

With over four million children growing up in low-income families, there’s an urgent need to continue supporting the programme.

The HAF Alliance are calling on the government to confirm their commitment to extend the programme to the next general election so that families can continue to access this vital provision for the children and young people who need it the most.

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We are It’s About Me

 

The It’s About Me programme operates across all of Derbyshire county, with approximately 34,000 children eligible for free school meals.

Since 2021, It’s About Me has aimed to improve the holiday experience of children and young people across Derbyshire by providing healthy meals, enriching activities and funded childcare places during the spring, summer and winter school holidays.

Over £11 million

has been invested directly into holiday provision through the It’s About Me Programme

More than 50,000

children and young people in Derbyshire have attended a It’s About Me holiday club

Over 325,000

meals have been served at It’s About Me holiday clubs

1,500+

staff members and volunteers have been upskilled through It’s About Me funded training programmes

Great help when you are struggling.

Parent/ Guardian

Brilliant and has really helped us over Christmas. Thank you to all involved.

Parent/ Guardian

Amazing, it’s the highlight of my daughter's life, she has gained so much confidence attending over the years.

Parent/ Guardian

A wonderful programme, I couldn't do without it.

Parent/ Guardian

I personally think this programme is amazing, there isn’t really anything else like this out there for children with special educational needs

Parent/ Guardian

The wider impact of the holiday activity & food programme

View Full Report

18%

of parents reported their child started attending sports or physical activity sessions (e.g. swimming lessons) after attending a HAF club

29%

of parents said that after attending a HAF club, their child went on to formally join a sports team or club

72%

of parents said the physical activity element of HAF clubs influenced their decision to enrol their child in ongoing sport or fitness programmes

Extend the Holiday Activity and Food Programme

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