Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme

Summer HAF 2026 Data

2,530 children booked a place
2,415 children attended
912 children with SEND attended
1,503 children without SEND attended
14% of bookings were not used

If your plans have changed please let your HAF camp know if your child can no longer attend. Your place could then be given to another child to enjoy the events.

The HAF Winter 2026 programme dates coming soon.

About the HAF programme

HAF Northants is a government-funded holiday programme for children who get free school meals (FSM) in West Northamptonshire.

During the Easter, summer and Christmas holidays, children can enjoy fun activities, healthy food, make friends and learn new skills. HAF Northants is run by Northamptonshire Sport, working with local clubs and organisations across West Northamptonshire.

Find out more about the Holiday Activity and Food Programme.

Information for children with SEND and additional needs

The HAF Northants booking website will let you know how HAF camps support children with SEND and additional needs. We also have SEND-specific HAF camps but these quickly become fully booked.

We are helping make HAF more inclusive by funding SEND awareness training for HAF staff. Delivered by Action for Children Northamptonshire, the training runs throughout the year to help staff better support children with SEND and additional needs.

Eligibility

School-aged children from reception to Year 11 in receipt of benefits-related free school meals (FSM) in West Northamptonshire, have priority in accessing government funded HAF camps for free.

Used HAF before - the eligibility rules have changed

Please check if your child is still eligible before you apply for HAF. The rules changed in September 2026, so some children who came to HAF before may not be able to attend this time.

HAF places are available for children who receive Targeted Free School Meals. Find out more and check if your child is eligible.

Extra support during the school holidays

Most HAF places are for children who receive Targeted Free School Meals. However, a small number of free places may be available for other children who would benefit from attending.

If you think HAF could help your child, please speak to your child's school or contact haf@northamptonshiresport.org for more information.

Support with childcare costs

Alongside HAF, support may be available to help with the cost of childcare and approved activity clubs for children and young people aged 0 to 17. Eligibility rules apply.

Find out what help is available at Childcare Choices for Tax Free Childcare.

Money and other support

Our cost of living support pages have information for parents and carers to help with money, household costs and financial wellbeing.

Helping children have their say

West Northamptonshire supported the Children’s Commissioner’s Big Future survey by sharing over the summer with HAF holiday clubs and through our social media channels, to help more children and young people share their views.