Derby Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) Programme - Grant applications now open for Winter 2026

Deadline: 21 October 2026, 8am

The application window for providers to apply to deliver HAF over the 2026 Winter holidays is now open.

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme aims to provide enriching activities and a healthy meal for school-aged children who receive benefits-related free school meals during the Winter, Easter and Summer school holidays.

In Derby, the HAF programme is delivered by Derby City Council in partnership with Community Action. It is funded by the Department for Education.

This fund is open to schools, the voluntary sector and private providers who can meet the objectives of the programme.

For Winter 2026, we are particularly interested in receiving applications from organisations that can deliver targeted holiday clubs for:

• Children who are in Reception and Year One in school
• Older teenagers
• Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities
• Providers who can offer HAF funded and privately funded places
• Providers with the capacity to consider delivering year-round wraparound care to support Derby’s wider childcare offer.

Deadline: 8am on 21 October 2026 - no late applications will be accepted.

You can download the Guidance Notes here

To apply, please fill in the Application form using this link