School holidays can be hard to juggle because of increased food, energy and childcare costs, work, and other commitments.
Buckinghamshire Council provides a range of assistance to make sure children and their families are supported during the school holidays, including food vouchers, holiday clubs and hot meals for eligible families. There is a range of support available to help with the cost of living during the summer holidays including those not already receiving support.
Free digital food vouchers for eligible families
What digital food vouchers are on offer?
Buckinghamshire Council’s Helping Hand scheme provides eligible families with a digital food voucher code to use during school holidays.
You are eligible to receive the vouchers if your children receive:
- free school meals
- early years’ pupil premium
- a 2-year-old funded free education place, because the parent is in receipt of some sort of additional government support (disadvantaged 2-year-old funding)
These digital voucher codes will be issued directly by schools ahead of the school holidays. The vouchers can be used in most major supermarkets in Buckinghamshire and instructions will be provided by schools when vouchers are issued.
This scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions Household Support Grant. View more about free digital food vouchers.
Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
HAF offers funded Easter, Summer and Winter holiday activities and healthy hot meals to children in Reception to Year 11 who receive benefits-related free school meals.
What activities are on offer?
- thousands of funded HAF holiday club places
- holiday club places in over 80 locations across Bucks
- a range of high-quality activities for all ages and interests including day trips, adventure activities, sports, dance, cookery and more
- each child or young person can attend up to 16 HAF sessions over the summer holidays
- a healthy meal or a suitable alternative is provided at each activity
Check out our activity finder in early June to see all of the activities on offer this summer.
The HAF programme is funded by the Department for Education and coordinated by the council.
Take a look at our Summer 2022 video.
View more information on the HAF web pages.
Holiday support, free and low-cost activities
There is support and free or low-cost activities available to all families during the school holiday including those not eligible for free school meals.
Holiday support
If you're struggling to afford or access food:
- the Helping Hand team can offer support and refer you to a local food bank
- search the Buckinghamshire Online Directory for organisations in your area who can provide emergency food support, including local food banks. Many of these organisations provide food and meals during the school holidays
- view the kids eat free offers
Find out more about the wider cost of living support available:
Holiday activities
Search for all school holiday activities and things to do near you on our directory.
Our Family Information Service web pages and directory include information on local activities, and attractions including free or low-cost options:
- School Holiday Activities
- things to do
- free activities
- discounts for families
- parks and outdoor spaces
- country park events
- childcare and holiday clubs
- tips to keep school holiday costs down
View free and low cost activities outside of Buckinghamshire on Visit England's guide.
Leisure centres
Leisure centres across Bucks have a wide variety of activities taking place:
- family swimming sessions
- swimming crash courses at Swan Pool in Buckingham
- soft play at Swan Pool in Buckingham, Chesham leisure centre, Chilterns Lifestyle Centre in Amersham
- adventure climbing at Wycombe leisure centre, Chilterns Lifestyle Centre in Amersham
Find your local centre and see what’s on.
Libraries
- activities - libraries host regular activities including Bounce and Rhyme, Explore Learning Workshops, Duplo and Lego play sessions, arts and crafts and book clubs
- Summer Reading Challenge - Why not get your children involved in this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, a free and fun way to encourage younger children to read more
Visit your local library website or social media channels for more details or search what events are your local library.
Love Exploring
Explore the great outdoors right here on your doorstep, using the free and interactive Love Exploring app. There's a range of games to play, activities and guided trails to do throughout the year, when visiting parks and open spaces around the county.
Search Love Exploring in your app store to start exploring.
Museums
From stately homes to ancient monuments, Buckinghamshire has many historic buildings and places of interest to discover.
Travel
Bus:
- Our Single bus fare cap will continue until December, so it is a great way to explore Bucks at low cost with bus journeys under £3.
Trains:
- 50% off train travel if you’re on Universal Credit
- save a 1/3 on rail travel with a rail card