Free, fun and flavourful – Buckinghamshire Council continues support and countywide holiday clubs for eligible families this Easter

These services provide a range of assistance, including food vouchers, holiday clubs and hot meals. There is also a range of support and advice available to help with the cost of living for families in Buckinghamshire.

Thousands of HAF holiday club places are on offer in over 45 locations for eligible children and young people in Reception to Year 11. There is a fantastic 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 four HAF sessions over Easter and a healthy hot meal is provided at each activity. The HAF programme is funded by the Department for Education and coordinated by the council.

Details of all the HAF holiday activities are available on Buckinghamshire Council’s website.

Buckinghamshire Council Cabinet Member for Education and Children’s Services, Anita Cranmer, said:

“Each year, the HAF programme is a great success in Buckinghamshire, and I am pleased that we have once again been able to provide such a great free resource for eligible children and young people. I am hoping that even more children will make use of this fun-filled programme this year, as they can enjoy a fun activity and a healthy meal, as well as learn new skills and make new friends.

“There are many fun activities running in Buckinghamshire during the Easter holidays, and if the popularity of the clubs during the last few years has been any indication, I’d urge parents and carers to use their HAF booking codes and book their children on as early as possible to avoid any disappointments.”

In addition to the holiday activities, Buckinghamshire Council’s Helping Hand scheme is providing eligible families with a digital £30 food voucher code to use during the Easter holidays. Children and young people who receive free school meals are eligible for a £30 voucher code, as well as those receiving early years’ pupil premium or 2-year-old funded free education places. These digital voucher codes will be distributed through schools ahead of the Easter holiday. This scheme is funded from the Department for Work and Pensions Household Support Fund. The vouchers can be used in most major supermarkets in Buckinghamshire and instructions will be provided by schools when vouchers are issued.

Buckinghamshire Council is also offering a wide range of support and practical guidance for residents who might be struggling with day-to-day issues such as the cost of living. You can view the council’s Money Problems webpage or our cost of living pages to discover the help and support available.

Steve Bowles, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:

“As we are facing significant rises in the cost of living and many families are feeling the pinch, I’d encourage eligible families to take up the digital food vouchers on offer. As a council, we always want to do as much as we can to help, especially during these difficult times. I hope the vouchers, alongside our HAF programme will do just that. We have recently changed voucher providers, but they are still as simple to use as before - just remember to redeem them before they expire.

“I know many of our residents are experiencing varying amounts of financial pressure and I urge anyone facing difficulties to get in touch with our Helping Hand team. We are there to help if you are struggling to afford basic necessities such as food, fuel and other household costs. All residents can contact Buckinghamshire Council’s Helping Hand team on 01296 531151 or complete the online contact us form and someone will contact you.”

For further support, advice or further activities and events for children this Easter, you can search the Bucks Online Directory.