Hundreds of families across Reading are being invited to register for the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) scheme this summer.

The programme provides a wide range of different activities, and lunches, for children who are normally entitled to pupil premium free school meals.

Eligible families are able to register for places on the scheme on the Brighter Futures for Children (BFfC) website now at: Holiday Activities and Food scheme (HAF) – Brighter Futures For Children.

This summer, eligible children are invited to attend four-hour sessions, four times a week for four weeks.

The list of organisations offering holiday camps ranges from Reading FC to Rabble Theatre and from New Direction College to Grassrootz.

Families need to re-register to access HAF activities every new holiday season, even if they have used the scheme previously.

BFfC co-ordinates HAF on behalf of Reading Borough Council and the scheme is funded by the Department for Education.

Di Smith, Board Chair of Brighter Futures for Children, said: “We were so pleased that more than 700 children attended the fun activities through the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) scheme over the Easter break.

“Now, I would encourage eligible families to register to make sure their children can join in the amazing holiday camps which will be available over the long summer break. Don’t forget, you need to re-register even if you have used the HAF scheme before.”

Graeme Hoskin, Lead Councillor for Children’s Services, said: “In these tough times when so many families are struggling financially it is important there is extra support available during the school holidays.

“The Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) scheme will make a big difference to those families whose children will be able to have great fun, make new friends and enjoy a nutritious lunch throughout the summer break.”

To register for HAF and to find more information please visit: https://brighterfuturesforchildren.org/for-parents-carers/schools/haf/

Notes to Editors

The full list of organisations offering holiday camps through the HAF scheme are: NSSPORT, Sports in Mind, St Josephs, Reading FC, Usport, Premier Education, New Direction College, Cultural Education Partnership, Next Thing Education, Make Sense, Little Musketeers, Rabble Theatre, Grassrootz.