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Croydon HAF Programme
Our Holiday Activities and Food Programme returns for the October half term holiday period from 18 October 2026
Pilot HAF Programme – October Half Term 2026
We will be running a pilot Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme during the October half-term holiday, funded through the Crisis Resilience Fund. The programme will take place during the October half-term at participating venues across the borough.
You can find more information on the dates, venues and activity details and links to booking information in the HAF October Half term directory from 18 October 2026
Places are limited, so families are encouraged to book early.
We look forward to welcoming children and young people to our pilot October half-term HAF Programme and providing families with opportunities to enjoy a fun, active and engaging school holiday.
Please note that the DfE funded HAF Programme returns for Winter 2026 and further information will be available later in the year.
The pilot programme will provide children and young people with the opportunity to take part in a range of free activities, alongside healthy food and opportunities to socialise, have fun and develop new skills.
What’s on offer
- Free holiday activities for children and young people
- Healthy food provided as part of the programme
- A range of fun, engaging and enriching activities
- Opportunities to meet other children and young people and try something new
Who can take part
As part of the trial, Children currently in Year 1 to Year 11 who are eligible for and claiming benefits-related free school meals, are eligible to attend.
Due to the current changes in regards to eligibility for benefits-related Free School meals, access to the programme for this pilot has been taken from school census data in May 2026.
All holiday clubs cater for children with low-medium levels of SEN and/or disability and children will be considered by each club on a case-by-case basis.
HAF programme
Thousands of Croydon children who are eligible for and claiming benefits-related free school meals can now also have free activity clubs with healthy meals over the school holidays.
Open to eligible children and young people aged 4 to 16 years.
All programmes provide:
- free, nutritious and tasty food
- fun physical activity sessions
- a wide range of other exciting activities to suit different ages and personalities
- opportunities to learn more about food and nutrition for children and their families
All holiday clubs cater for children with low-medium levels of SEN and/or disability and children will be considered by each club on a case-by-case basis.
Partners
Croydon is delivering this with funding from the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme, which aims to encourage young people to lead healthier and more active lifestyles during the holidays.
We have worked with partners from across our communities to organise a diverse range of holiday schemes so there is something for children of all ages, backgrounds and interests.
Annual reports
Read our annual report for April 2024 to March 2025.
Read our annual report for April 2023 to March 2024.
How to book a space
Parents of eligible children will receive an email or text containing a voucher from Holiday Activities. You will receive your unique code once you have claimed the voucher.
You will then find a list of all holiday clubs running, and you will be able to book spaces at a club near you.
Support
If your child is in receipt of benefits-related free school meals but you haven’t received a voucher code, you should double check your child’s details with the school, such as whether they are on the benefits-related free school meal list and/or whether your email address on the school system is correct.
To bid for funding see the Holiday Activities and Food Programme 2026.
Further information
For further information about the HAF programme, contact us at HAFprogramme@croydon.gov.uk.