Haf logo

Bolton's #HAF2024

Holiday Activities and Food Programme


Use your HAF code and check out the 'tabs' below for free activity/food schemes near you.

Funded by the Department for Education and co-ordinated locally by Bolton Council, our HAF programme has been amazing! The funding supports children and families on benefits related Free School Meals with free fun, creative sessions offering sports, games, physical activity and food for a minimum 4 hours a day, for 4 days a week.  #TeamBolton delivered a fantastic HAF programme over Easter and Summer with over 10,000 individual young people taking part!  For more information on the national HAF programme visit the Gov.uk website We are back again in Bolton this Easter to start our #HAF2024 campaign with lots of free activities and food sessions, family events and much more!  Some sessions are just for children and young people in receipt of benefit related free school meals, however Council sessions are open to all young people.

View events by location

 

#HAF2024 in Bolton - What else is important?

Why are the activities only in some locations?  We invite applications from activity providers across the borough who were able to meet the strict HAF criteria and limited budget. However, as you know, we live in a very diverse borough, which means there will be limitations as to where the programme can operate, so unfortunately, there may not be a scheme in every area.

Just need food support?  Click on the 'FOOD' tab above for food support and information on our partnership with local charity Urban Outreach.

ONLINE VIDEOS! Click the Cooking demos tab to watch how to cook and prepare an affordable 3 course meal!

Who has funded the holiday programme?  The vast majority of sessions are funded by the Department for Education (DfE), but some are also funded by Bolton Council, Horwich Town Council, Westhoughton Town Council, EPIC (Egerton Park), Friends of Astley Bridge & local Councillors' Area Forum budgets in Astley Bridge, Bromley Cross, Breightmet, Hulton, Westhoughton, Kearsley & Horwich.  Our thanks go to all who have made the programme so accessible! 

Any questions?  For important information for parents and details of further help available, please see the 'INFO & HELP' tab above.  For bookings and sessions queries, please contact the provider via. their details on the listings page and for any other (non-urgent) HAF queries please email: positive.activities@bolton.gov.uk

More help?  Cost of living - help when you need it: Are you worried about the rising cost of energy bills, food, and transport? You are not alone, the cost of living is rising and is affecting many of us, for more support visit :Cost of living – Bolton Council

And finally:  Watch the video below to see all the fun we had all across Bolton in the Summer holidays, last year:

Read the HAF 2022 annual report


Funded by the Department for Education