Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) Programme

Government-Funded Free Holiday Activities and Nutritious Meals for Eligible Children

About the HAF Programme

The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is a UK government-funded initiative providing healthy food and engaging activities for eligible children during school holidays. Bowen Education Group proudly partners with local authorities to deliver enriching holiday experiences for children in our community.

Programme Highlights:

1000+ children benefited
50+ activity types offered
8 partner schools
100% free for eligible families

Key Features

Nutritious Meals
Daily provision of healthy, balanced lunches and snacks

Diverse Activities
Cultural, sports, arts, and educational programmes

Safe Environment
Professional staff and secure facilities

Completely Free
All activities and meals at no cost to eligible families

Programme Goals

Healthy Food Provision

Ensure eligible children receive nutritious meals during school holidays, preventing holiday hunger

Physical & Mental Wellbeing

Promote children's health and development through varied sports and cultural activities

Family Support

Provide reliable childcare for working families, reducing holiday period stress

Educational Enrichment

Organize educational and recreational activities to support continuous learning during holidays

Activities We Offer

Chinese Cultural Experiences

Calligraphy practice
Traditional paper cutting
Chinese knot making
Classical poetry recitation
Traditional festival celebrations
Chinese language learning through games
Traditional Chinese painting
Chopsticks skills training

Sports & Physical Activities

Badminton training and matches
Table tennis
Football
Basketball
Dance and movement
Outdoor games and team challenges

Arts & Crafts

Painting and drawing
Handicrafts and model making
Drama and role-play
Music and singing
Creative writing workshops

Educational Activities

Reading clubs and storytelling
Science experiments
Mathematics games
Coding and technology basics
Nature exploration
Life skills workshops

Who Is Eligible?

The HAF programme is available to children who receive benefits-related free school meals during term time.

How to Check Eligibility

Contact your child's school to confirm free school meal status
Check with your local authority
Contact us directly for assistance

Registration Process

Confirm your child's eligibility
Complete our online registration form or contact our office
Receive confirmation and programme details
Attend the first day - no additional fees required!

Programme Schedule

Easter Holidays

Two-week programme during spring break
- Week 1: Cultural and creative activities focus
- Week 2: Sports and outdoor activities focus

Summer Holidays

Four-week programme during summer break
- Extended programme with more diverse activities
- Weekly themes to maintain engagement
- Special trips and excursions

October Half Term

One-week autumn programme
- Seasonal activities and crafts
- Halloween-themed creative workshops

Christmas Holidays

Special festive programme
- Winter sports and activities
- Christmas cultural celebrations
- End-of-year party and performance

Daily Schedule (Typical)

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Arrival and registration

9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Morning warm-up and group activities

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Main morning activities (rotating schedule)

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Healthy lunch and free play

1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Afternoon activities and workshops

3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Snack time

3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Extended activities and supervised play

5:00 PM
Collection time

Venue & Facilities

Location: Sale Sports Centre, Sale Road, Sale, Manchester M33 3SL

Facilities Include:

Sports halls and courts
Arts and crafts rooms
Dining area
Outdoor play spaces
First aid facilities
Secure entry and exit procedures

Health & Safety

All staff are DBS checked
First aid trained personnel on site
Strict safeguarding protocols
Allergen-aware meal planning
Emergency contact procedures
Regular risk assessments

Testimonials

"The HAF programme has been a lifesaver for our family. My children come home happy and full of stories about their day. The meals are healthy and the activities are amazing!" - Sarah M., Parent

"I love going to HAF! I've made so many new friends and learned lots of cool things like calligraphy and badminton." - Amy, Age 9

"As a working parent, knowing my children are safe, engaged, and well-fed during the holidays gives me such peace of mind." - David L., Parent

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is transport provided?
A: Transport is not currently provided, but we're centrally located with good public transport links.

Q: What if my child has dietary requirements?
A: We cater for all dietary needs including vegetarian, vegan, halal, and allergen-free meals. Please inform us during registration.

Q: What should my child bring?
A: Comfortable clothes, suitable footwear, water bottle. All equipment and materials are provided.

Q: Can siblings attend together?
A: Yes! We welcome siblings and encourage family participation.

Q: What age groups do you accept?
A: The programme typically serves children aged 5-14 years.

How to Register

Online Registration

Visit our website and complete the HAF registration form

Phone Registration

Call us at 0161 969 3071

In-Person Registration

Visit our office at Sale Sports Centre during business hours

Email Enquiries

Send questions to haf@boweneducation.org

Registration usually opens 4-6 weeks before each holiday period. Spaces are limited, so early registration is recommended!

Contact Us

For more information about the HAF programme:

Email: haf@boweneducation.org
Phone: 0161 969 3071
Website: www.boweneducation.org/haf
Address: Sale Sports Centre, Sale Road, Sale, Manchester M33 3SL

Partner Organizations

We work in partnership with:

Trafford Council
English Chess Federation
Local schools and community groups
Henan University (cultural programme support)

Give your child an unforgettable holiday experience - register for our HAF programme today!

HAF Programme