The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme forms part of Nottingham City Council’s childcare offer for school‑aged children. It aims to support the wellbeing of children aged 5 to 16 by providing a range of activities and nutritious meals during school holidays.
Eligible children across the city can access these activities and meals throughout the holiday periods.
We have made it much easier this year for you to book activities. We are using a new booking system, and HAF codes/vouchers are no longer needed. When you create an account, the system will automatically check your child’s eligibility.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is funded by the Department for Education and is designed to support the wellbeing of children aged 5 to 16. It focuses on both physical and mental wellbeing by offering a range of activities during school holiday periods.
Local activity providers deliver face‑to‑face sessions that are fully funded for children and young people aged 5 to 16 who receive benefits‑related free school meals. Many holiday clubs also offer additional paid places.
Each session includes a meal—usually breakfast or lunch—depending on what the programme offers.
The programme aims to:
- support children to eat healthily
- help children stay active during the school holidays
- increase children’s understanding of health and nutrition
- encourage families to connect with local support services
If you believe you may be eligible, please contact the HAF team: HAF@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
There are lots of great activities taking place across the city as part of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. Sessions run during the spring (Easter), summer, autumn (October), and winter school holidays.
Children and young people can access:
- 4 days of face‑to‑face activities in spring (Easter)
- 12 days of face‑to‑face activities in summer
- 4 days of face‑to‑face activities in autumn (October half‑term)
- 4 days of face‑to‑face activities in winter
All approved Nottingham City holiday clubs are listed on an external booking system called Eequ, where you can also make your bookings. You will need to create an account to book. A full list of our Spring clubs can be found here:
Nottingham City Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) · Eequ
All Nottingham City approved programmes will show ‘Funded by Nottingham City Council’ in orange text on the listing. Any programme that does not display this orange label is not part of the Nottingham City HAF programme, so please check carefully before booking.
You can watch a video guide on how the Eequ system works—either on a mobile or tablet, or on a desktop/laptop.
You can view Eequ’s Privacy Statement and request additional support at hello@eequ.org
All our current providers can be found here:
Nottingham City Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) · Eequ
It is very important for providers to know if the child you are booking has any additional needs. Providers strive to deliver a high‑quality, fully inclusive programme, so understanding any special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) allows them to make appropriate reasonable adjustments.
If a child attends a holiday club without full information about their support needs, the provider may be unable to offer the level of support required. In some cases, this may mean the place cannot be continued.
Fun activities for children to do at home over the holidays.
Use the resources below to find out more about some fun and exciting low cost/no cost activity ideas for you and your family to do together in the holidays.
Please check you do live within Nottingham city's boundary. If you aren't sure which local authority you are in, you can check on the government's 'find your local council' search.
For the Nottinghamshire County Council HAF programme please contact: haf@nottinghamshire.gov.uk
Community Support Organisations
The following organisations are working in partnership with the council to support vulnerable residents in Nottingham.
Your Notts Directory
Your Notts Directory is an online guide to local services, support, and activities available for people living in Nottingham. It helps you find information on areas such as health, education, money advice, and community support, making it easier to access the help you need in one place.
Advice Nottingham
Operates six advice centres across the city to provide help and assistance to residents.
Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing
Your Notts Directory - Food Banks and food support
Nottingham has a large network of food banks that can provide urgent help If you are in need of food. Many operate a referral process. You can find your nearest food bank online:
FoodPrint
foodprint Sneinton | 101 Sneinton Road, NG2 4QL
Opening hours: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 10:00am - 4:30pm
foodprint Radford | Units 4-5 Forest Court, Gamble Street, NG7 4EX
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10am - 4pm
Visit website: Foodprint - Reduced Cost Supermarket
Hygiene Bank
Visit website: The Hygiene Bank
Help with Energy Efficiency Measures for Nottingham Residents
Housing Association Tenants
If you are a Housing Association tenant, you should contact your housing provider first to discuss any schemes they have to support you with reducing your energy costs and improving your homes efficiency. There may also be schemes that can help you on the Your Notts Directory:
Enviroenergy Customer Support
Enviroenergy supplies District Heating to over 5,000 domestic customers in Nottingham. Our dedicated Customer Service Team is trained to provide expert Energy Efficiency advice. If a home visit is required, one of our qualified engineers will attend and offer tailored guidance based on the property size, the number of occupants, and the installed equipment.
Call: 0115 955 6677
Email: customersupport@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm
Nottingham Energy Partnership
Nottingham Energy Partnership can provide a wide range of help, support and advice for all Nottingham residents who want to reduce their energy bills. You can visit their website or contact them here
Website: Nottingham Energy Partnership
Call: 0115 985 9057
Address: Top Floor, Queens Walk Community Centre, Queens Walk, The Meadows, Nottingham, NG2 2DF
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am – 5.30pm. On Friday we close at 4:30pm.
Your Notts Directory - Money and Finance Support
Brings together quick links to trusted information and support on a wide range of topics for residents of Nottingham - from reducing bills and dealing with debt to borrowing safely, accessing benefits, finding travel discounts, food banks and more.
If you have any further questions, you may contact us on haf@nottinghamcity.gov.uk
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