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Holiday activities and Food provision (HAF) 2024

Free Government-funded holiday clubs with healthy meals for children who are claiming benefit-related free school meals.

Information for families

Christmas HAF programme

The Christmas Holiday Activity and Food Programme will run from Monday 23 December 2024 and Sunday 4 January 2025. No delivery will take place on 25, 26 December 2024 or 1 January 2025.

Answer:

Artichoke Summer School 2024

Website: Artichoke website
Location: Toynbee Studios, 28 Commercial Street, London, E1 6AB
Dates: 19 to 23 August 2024


Beyond the Bias - Sports and Art Camp

Website: Beyond the Bias website
Instagram: Beyond the Bias Instagram

Contact number: 07507 435 927

  • Location 1: George Green School
  • Location 2: Poplar Baths Leisure Centre

Dates: 29 July to 23 August 2024


Be Well - Mile End Leisure Centre

Contact number: 020 7364 5100
Location: Mile End Leisure Centre, 190 Burdett Road, Mile End, E3 4HL
Dates: 24 July to 22 August 2024

Visit the Be Well website


CWFA Summer HAF 2024

Website: Canary Wharf FA website
Socials: Canary Wharf Football Academy (Facebook, X formerly Twitter and Instagram)

Contact number: 0794 740 2468
Email: canarywharffa@outlook.com

  • Location 1: Sir John McDougal Gardens E14 8LN
  • Location 2: The Quarterdeck Football Pitch Playground E14 8SJ
  • Location 3: Bow Cross Community Hub E3 3EY

Dates: 16 days, 27 July to 1 September 2024


CKC Summer Multi-sports HAF

Website: CKC London website

Location: Stewart Headlam Primary School, Tapp St, London E1 5RE
Dates: 16 days. 29 July to 1 August, 5 to 8 August, 12 to 15 August, 19 to 22 August 2024


First Kicks sports Summer Camp 2024

Website: First Kicks Sports website
Are there SEND Specific spaces available?: Yes (contact club to discuss)

Contact number: 07849 502 993

Location: St Agnes Catholic Primary school Rainhill Way, Bow London EN3 3ER

Date and times

9.30am to 3pm

  • Week 2: 5 to 9 August 2024
  • Week 3: 12 to 16 August 2024

Next Steps Summer School

Website: Halfmoon Next Steps website

Email: nextsteps@halfmoon.org.uk

Location: Half Moon Theatre, 43 White Horse Road, E1 0ND

Dates

  • Week 1: 5 to 9 August 2024
  • Week 2: 12 to 16 August 2024
  • Week 3: 19 to 23 August 2024

Junior Adventures Group - Summer of fun

Facebook: Facebook@junioradventuresgroup.co.uk 
Instagram: Juniors adventure group Instagram
Youtube: Junior adventures group

Location: St Lukes CofE Primary school, Saunders ness road, Isle of Dogs, E14 3EB

Dates:

Four days per week 

  • 6 to 9 August
  • 13 to 16 August
  • 20 to 23 August
  • 27 to 30 August 

LiC Summer Club

Website: Lic Project website 

Location: Teviot Centre, Wyvis street, E14 6QD

Dates: 24 July to 2 August 2024


Legends Presents Summer Holiday of Activities and Fun in Tower Hamlets

Website: Legends learning centre website
Facebook: Legends learning centre Facebook

Contact number: 020 7046 9393, 07903 640 921
Email: info@legendslearningcentre.com

Location: Wapping High School, 153 Commercial Rd, E1 2DA
Dates: 5 August to 24 August 2024


Jaguars Summer Holiday Club 2024

Website: London Jaguars Summer Holiday Club booking link 2024
Instagram: London Jaguars Instagram

  • Location 1: Bartlett Park, E14 6LH
  • Location 2: Bernie Cameron Community Centre, E3 4LX

Dates: 24 July to 8 August 2024


London Sportif Summer HAF

Website: London Sportif website

Email: londonsportif@outlook.com

Location: London Enterprise Academy, 81-91 Commercial Road, E1 1RD.
Dates: 24 July to 9 August 2024


Newark Summer HAF Programme 2024

Website: Newark website 
Facebook: Newark Facebook
Instagram: Newark Instagram

Email: info@newark.org.uk

Contact number: 07958 085480

  • Location: 1: Locksley Community Centre, Dora Street, London E14 7TP
  • Location 2: Cyprus Street Community Centre, Cyprus Street, London E2 0PE
  • Location 3: 18-22 Damian Street, E1 2HX from 11am and Stepney Green Astro pitch 12 to 3pm.

Dates:

  • 29, 30, 31 July 2024
  • 1 August, 5, 6, 7, 8 August, 12, 13, 14, 15 August, 19, 20, 21, 22 August

Summer SPLASH 24

Website: Oceanyc website
Facebook: Summer Splash Facebook
X: https://x.com/oceanconnexions

Location: Ocean TLA, Forecourt Anson House, Ernest Street, London E1 4SE
Dates: 29 July to 22 August 2024 (Monday to Thursday)

Location: 39 Waverley house, pepper street E14 9R and local McDougall Park,
West Ferry Road E14 for outdoor sports and physical exercise
Dates: 29 July to 15 August (Monday to Thursday)


HAF Summer Holiday fun activities

Email olivetreeeducation@yahoo.com to request a booking form or complete it online

Contact number: 07432 219 412


Spotlight Summer Holidays

Website: Spotlight website
Instagram: Spotlight instagram

Contact number: 020 3011 1333
Location: Spotlight, 30 Hay Currie Street, E14 6GN
Dates: Mon 22 July to Friday 23 August


SOUL HAF programme

Website: Soul website
X/Instagram/Facebook/TikTok: @souluk03

Email: info@souluk.co.uk

Contact number: 020 7646 2320

  • Location 1: Collingwood community centre, Barnsley street, London, E1 5RB
  • Location 2: Eastside youth centre, 6 Parnell road, London, E3 2NX

Dates: 29 July to 29 August to Monday to Thursday


Summer Drama Club – Dance, Singing, Drama and Poetry

Website: Purple moon website or register
Instagram: Purple moon Instagram

Email: hello@purplemoondrama.co.uk

  • Location 1: Poplar Union, 2 Cotall St, London E14 6TL
  • Location 2: Eastside Youth Centre, 6 Parnell Road, London, E3 2RB
  • Location 3: Raines House

Dates: Club 1 - 5 August to 15 August 2024

  • Club 2 - 29 July to 2 August 2024
  • Club 3 - 19 August to 23 August 2024

SAMA Summer Fun 2024

To book a place please fill in the Sama Summer Fun booking form.

Location: SAMA Centre, 544 Roman Road, London E3 3ES and Victoria Park

Dates: 29 July to 22 August 2024


Bethnal Green Summer Holiday HAF Programme

Website: www.socialgiftsucsa.org.uk
Instagram: Simple Gifts Instragram

Contact number: 07904 113 087

Location: SimpleGifts: 117 Mansford Street, E2 6LX

Dates: Week 1 - 30/31 July and 1 August 2024

  • Week 2 - 6 to 8 August
  • Week 3 - 13 to 15 August
  • Week 4 - 20 to 22 August
  • Week 5 - 27 to 30 August

SocietyLinks Summer HAF Club

Instagram: Society Links instagram 
Website: SocietyLinks website
X: Society Links on X 
Tiktok: societylinks_

Email: info@societylinks.org.uk

Contact number: 020 7702 0901

Location: Swedenborg Gardens Park E1 8HP

Dates: 22 – 26, 29, 31 July and 1, 2, 5, 7– 9 August, 12, 14 to 16 August 2024


Summer Holiday Connection and Activity Club

Website: www.sportingfoundation.com
X: https://x.com/sportingFndtn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sportingfoundation

Email: info@sportingfoundation.com

Contact number: 020 4539 7908

  • Location 1: Club 55 , Samuda Estate, London E14 9HA
  • Location 2: Mile End Astro Pitch, Rhodeswell Road, London E14 7TW

Dates: Monday 29 July to Thursday 22 August 2024


Sportscool - East London

Website: Sports Cool East website
Website: Local offer website 
Instagram: Sports Cool East Instagram 
Are there SEND Specific spaces available?: Yes (contact club to discuss)

Email: eastlondon@sportscool.org 
Contact number: 07707 861 027

Location: Ben Jonson Primary School, Harford St, E1 4PZ

Dates: 29 July to 22 August 2024 (Monday to Thursday)

  • Club 1: 8.30am to 12.30pm - Mainstream
  • Club 2: 1 to 5pm - SEND only

St Andrews Youth Developments Trust Summer Camp

Website: St Andrews Youth Development Trust 

Email: standrewsyouthdevelopments@gmail.com

Contact number: 07956 298 469

  • Location 1: St Elizabeth Primary School, Bonner Road, E2 9JY
  • Location 2: Harbinger Primary School, 8 Cahir St, London E14 3QP

Dates: Club 1: 29 July to 22 August 2024
            Club 2: 22 July to 19 August 2024


Stebon HAF programme 2024

Website: Stebon website
X: Stebon on X

Location: Stebon Primary School Burdett Estate, Wallwood Street, Poplar, London E14 7AD
Dates: Monday 29 July to Thursday 22 August (NO FRIDAYS)


Tower Hamlets Leap Ahead Summer Program

Facebook: Tower Hamlets Education Booster Facebook page
Instagram: Tower Hamlets Education Booster
TikTok: Tower Hamlets Education Booster

Email: towerhamlets.ef@gmail.com

Contact number: 07848 388 800

Location: 1. Idea Store Whitechapel
Outdoor Activities: 10 Witan St, London, E2 6FG

Sports Activities: Whitechapel Sports Centre E1 5BA

Second location: Idea Store Chrisp Street

Outdoor Activities: Poplar Park, E14 0BX

Swimming and Sports Activities: Poplar Baths,  E14 0ED

Second location 3: Idea Store Bow, 1 Vesey Path, East India Dock Road, London, E14 6BT

Outdoor and Sports Activities: Victoria Park nearest entrance to Idea Store Bow

Dates: 29 July to 8 August 2024 and 24/25 August 2024


Tower Hamlets Youth League United Summer Camp 2024

Website: Tower Hamlets Youth League United website

Contact number: 07399 111 435

  • Location 1: Oxford House, Derbyshire Street, Bethnal Green, London, E2 6HG
  • Location 2: Mile End Leisure Centre, 190 Burdett Road, Mile End, E3 4HL

Dates:

  • Week 1: 5 August to 8 August
  • Week 2: 12 August to 15 August
  • Week 3: 19 August to 22 August

Club Zone One - Summer 2024

Website: Tapped in Zone One website

Location: Poplar Harca's community space in Aberfeldy, Feldy Community Space, 18 Aberfeldy Sqaure, E14 0XA

Dates: 29 July to 22 August (Monday to Thursday)


Udichi summer holidays art workshop for children and young people

Facebook: Udichi London Facebook
Facebook: Udichi Shilpy Gosthi UK
Are there SEND Specific spaces available?: Yes (contact club to discuss)

  • Location 1: Whitechapel Idea Store, 321 Whitechapel Rd, London E1 1BU
  • Location 2: The Brady Arts Centre, 192-196 Hanbury Street, London E1 5HU

Dates: From 24 July to 4 August (12 days)


Let’s Get Active Summer 2024

Website: Vallance CSA website

Email: info@vallancecsa.org.uk

Contact number: 020 7247 6957 / 07956 835 811

  • Location: Club 1-The Hasan Raja Centre, 117 Vallance Road, London E1 5BW
  • Location 2: Club 2- Mile End Leisure Centre, 190 Burdett rd, London E3 4HL
  • Location 3: Bancroft Play Area, 5 Hadleigh Cl, Globe Town, London E1 4JH

Dates: Monday 29 July to Friday 30 August 2024


Weavers adventure playground Ass. Summer fun

Website: Weavers adventure website
Facebook: Weavers adventure Facebook
Instagram: Weavers adventure Instagram

Location: Weavers adventure playground, Viaduct Street, Bethnal Green, E20 BH

Dates: 22 July to 30 August 2024


WISE Summer HAF Programme

Website: Wise Summer website
X: Wise summer on X
Facebook: Wise summer HAF Facebook page

Email: admin@wiseyouthtrust.com

Contact number: 07599 686 935

Location 1: St Peters Community Centre, Pritchards Road, London, E2 9AX
London 2: Mile End Astro, Mile End Statdium, 8 Copperfield Road, London, E3 4RT
London 3: Marion Richardson Primary School:  Senrab St Ratcliff, E1 0QF

Dates:

  • Week 1: 25-27 July, 29 July (11am to 3pm)
  • Week 2: 30-31 July, 1-2 August (11am to 3pm)
  • Week 3: 3 August, 5-7 August, (11am to 3pm)
  • Week 4: 8-10 August, 12 August, (11am to 3pm)

Somali HAF Programme

To book a place please complete the Somali HAF booking form.

Facebook: Women's inclusive team Facebook page
Instagram: Women's inclusive team Instagram pagex\x

Are there SEND Specific spaces available?: Yes (contact club to discuss)

Contact number: 020 7790 2650

  • Location: 1. Granby Somali Hub, ​​37 St Matthew's Row, London E2 6DT
  • Location 2: Christian Street, 30 Challoner Walk, London E1 1QN
  • London 3: Chicksand Nursery, Friendly Club, Chicksand St, Hanbury St, London E1 5JY

Dates: Monday 29 July until Thursday 22 August 2024 from Monday to Thursday


Bygrove Primary School Summer HAF 2024

Website: Bygrove website

Contact number: 020 7538 4925

Location: Bygrove Primary School, Bygrove St, London E14 6DN

Dates: 29 July to 22 August (Monday to Thursday)


Future Kidz Summer Youth Zone - Gateway Housing

Instagram: Future Kidz Development CiC Instagram
Email: futurekidzdevelopment@gmail.com

Location: Holmsdale Community Centre, Constant House, Harrow Lane, E14 0AT

Dates: Monday to Thursday, 29 July to 29 August 2024


Learning Hive Summer Camp 2024

Website: Learning Hive website and events
Instagram: Learning Hive Instagram

Location: Cubitt Town Primary School, Manchester Rd, London, E14 3NE

Dates: 29 July to 22 August (Monday to Thursday)

What do the programmes include?

Thousands of children who are eligible for and claiming benefits-related free school meals will be able to access a free place a holiday activity club over the Christmas school holiday.

Open to eligible children and young people aged 4 to 16 years, all programmes provide:

  • free, nutritious and tasty food
  • fun physical activity sessions
  • a wide range of other exciting activities to suit different ages and personalities
  • opportunities to learn more about food and nutrition for children and their families.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Holiday clubs cater for children with low-medium levels of SEN and/or disability and children will be considered by each club on a case-by-case basis.

The programme also offers placements at SEND specific clubs which can cater for more severe needs. Please ask the clubs directly about the support they offer. 

How do I sign up my child?

If your child is eligible for a free place at a HAF club, you would have received a HAF letter in the post. To book a free place

  • check the list of HAF clubs
  • contact the club you wish your child to attend
  • follow their registration instructions.

When registering, you will need to quote your child’s HAF Code. This can be found at the top of your HAF letter. If you have missed out on a place at your chosen club, please do check out opportunities at other clubs.

I did not receive a HAF letter

Children attending a school outside the borough can access a free space at a HAF club. They will need to show proof that they receive benefits-related free school meals during registration. Proof can include a letter from the school or a letter from the council’s benefits team.

Children and young people newly registered for benefits-related free school meals who have not received a HAF code yet, should provide proof that they receive benefits-related free school meals during registration.

Neighbouring boroughs

If you are a resident of a neighbouring borough but your child is eligible and attends a school in Tower Hamlets, they are welcome to attend one of our HAF programmes. You might be able to go to a HAF programme in your borough.

Visit the boroughs' HAF pages for more information

Need support – How HAF can help

Your HAF club is connected to services that offer support and help with things like:

  • money advice
  • health
  • food

Simply contact your HAF club for help finding a service. Visit our support pages on specific services around the cost of living crisis.

Contact

For more information about the HAF programme, contact us at HAF@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

How to register for benefits-related free school meals

To register for benefits-related free school meals please complete the free school meals application form.

HAF report

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) report details how we performed in the last year.

Read the annual report

Information for providers

Christmas is now live!

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme - Christmas grant application

We are pleased to announce that the HAF Christmas Grant application is live! 

This grant supports organisations that provide fun activities and healthy meals for kids and young people during the Christmas holidays.

Key information

Application deadline

The application window will close on Friday 27 September at 5pm. 

Submit your application by this date to be considered.

How to apply

Submit your application ensuring all sections are complete.

Apply now 

 

Guidance

Before applying, please read the guidance. It covers the rules, eligibility criteria and requirements for the grant. This will help you prepare a good application and ensure compliance with the grant's terms.

Get in touch

We encourage all interested parties to apply as soon as possible. This is a fantastic opportunity to make a significant impact in the community over the Christmas period.

If you have any questions or need further assistance with the application process, please do not hesitate to reach out by emailing HAF@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

We will also take calls with applicants to discuss any questions you may have. Please email to arrange a Teams call.

Answer:

The HAF (Holiday Activities and Food) programme is a government-funded initiative. It aims to provide healthy meals and fun activities to children during the Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays.

The programme supports families with children on benefits-related free school meals. This is different from the universal free school meals for all Tower Hamlets children.

Answer:

The HAF programme is for children and young people aged 4 to 16 on benefits-related free school meals.

In contrast, universal free school meals are available to all children, regardless of income. However, benefits-related meals are limited to those in families receiving certain benefits.

Answer:

A HAF code is a unique ID for each eligible child to join HAF activities. Children in Tower Hamlets who get free school meals and attend school will automatically receive a HAF code before holidays. HAF codes are issued by the council, not schools.

Answer:

Apply online: Visit the free school meals page and complete the application. You’ll need to provide details about your income and benefits.

Start the free school meals application form

Seek support: Schools can help you with the application process. Apply early as the registration can take some time to be processed and reflected in the system.

Answer:

Yes. Your child must be receiving benefits-related free school meals for your child to be eligible for the HAF programme.

Answer:

You should receive confirmation that says your child has been registered for benefits-related free school meals. You should provide a copy of this confirmation to your club when you register to access a free space.

Answer:

The HAF programme offers activities for physical, creative and social growth. These include sports, arts and crafts, music, drama, cooking, workshops and trips.

Answer:

Visit the Holiday activities and Food provision (HAF) page for updates and detailed information.

You can also contact local community centres or schools that are participating in the programme or check out the Tower Hamlets Local Offer.