Manchester recognises that school holidays for some families can be a challenging time. The pressure of reduced incomes and increased costs such as food and childcare can feel hard during 
these times, and for some children and young people this creates gaps in accessing organised holiday activity.
This can result in ‘unhealthy holidays’ – increased holiday hunger, limited access to nutritious and healthy meals alongside limited access to physical and fun activities. All of which can contribute to the likelihood of experiencing social isolation. Sadly, these issues were also further exasperated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
In response to this, the Department of Education (DfE) has provided local authorities with Holiday Activity Funding (HAF) to develop a free activity and food programme during the holidays. This means Manchester City Council are able to work with clubs and organisations across the city to develop a food and activity programme to respond to the above, which will make a positive impact on the children and young people of Manchester.
Funding is available for the Easter, Summer and Christmas holiday periods, to support with the delivery of food activity projects for children and young people aged 6 to 16 years who are entitled to Benefit Related Free School Meals (FSM). January 2023 is the only application window for ALL 3 holiday periods.
Manchester City Council has the discretion to use up to 15% of its funding to provide free or subsidised holiday club places for children who are not in receipt of benefits-related free school meals but who are considered by the local authority as in need of this provision. For example, this may include children assessed as being in need, looked-after children, children with an education, health and care plan (EHC), children assessed as otherwise vulnerable, or children living in areas of high deprivation.
Applications can be made from voluntary and community sector organisations, including youth and play organisations sports clubs, schools and other educational establishments such as SEND, PRU’s and supplementary schools, and out of school provision, arts and culture organisations, and outdoor adventure and education organisations. The fund welcomes applications from organisations above who want to work in partnership with each other.
Organisations must be based in Manchester and / or are working with Manchester’s residents.
Apply to the Holiday Activity Fund 2023
Deadline: 31 January 2023, 5pm