Ealing Council Offering Funded Holiday Activities


Support available for low income families this Easter


One of the programmes includes a live animal workshop

March 28, 2024

Ealing Council is encouraging families on low incomes to take advantage of a programme of funded activities for children and additional support with with food, heating and bills this Easter.

The spring holiday activity and food programme (HAF) offers a way for a child to get involved in activities, socialise and meet new friends during the Easter break. They can learn about nutrition, and spark some new interests and hobbies, from archery, arts and crafts, dance and drama, swimming, to football and outdoor sports activities.

It will run at different locations across the borough for the whole of the Easter break for 4 hours each day, with eligible children and young people able to attend for 4 days. It is available to children and young people in school years reception to year 11, and who are in receipt of benefits related free school meals.

The programmes vary, with different activities at each of the locations around the borough. There are also programmes that are also specifically designed to be inclusive of children with SEND needs.

To find out more about the HAF email HAF@ealing.gov.uk or visit www.ealingfamiliesdirectory.org.uk

The Household Support Fund is allocated to the council by Department of Work and Pensions. Families eligible for benefits related free school meals will get supermarket vouchers worth £30per child. Families with children under the age of 5, who get housing benefit and/or council tax reduction are also eligible, as are care leavers. 

Eligible families will receive either an email or letter from the council’s partners Blackhawk with a 16-digit, personalised code and instructions to redeem the vouchers via their website: www.ealingcouncil.select-your-reword.co.uk

Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for a fairer start, said, “School holidays can be a real challenge – not only keeping children occupied but also having to do so with less available money. The HAF programme not only has amazing fun activities to take part in but all those attending will get a healthy lunch, and everything is free.”

 You can find out more about leisure activities over the spring break, from open spaces, leisure passes, to days out at the zoo, to cinema discounts on the council’s website. 

For more information on help that is available, and to find out what you might be entitled to, visit the council's cost of living pages - www.ealing.gov.uk/costofliving

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