CHILDREN in Coventry can enjoy free activities and healthy food options during the Easter holidays.
The city’s new spring Holiday, Activity and Food programme (HAF) has gone live, and runs until Sunday April 27.
The programme gives Coventry children the chance to have four activities and one free experience throughout the spring break. Local families are being encouraged to find out if they are eligible as activities get booked up.
Around 18,000 children will be eligible for the programme, with over 75 new activities happening this spring – all thanks to a £1.6million grant awarded to Coventry from the government to continue the programme.
The Coventry programme has had an overwhelmingly positive reception, with 22,000 sessions provided and in 2024, 95-100 per cent of HAF users would recommend it to other people.
Coun Dr Kindy Sandhu, Coventry City Council’s Cabinet Member, Education and Skills, said: “Children and young people will not only be able to benefit from a healthy meal, but they will also be able to learn about their city’s heritage and culture at brilliant venues, develop their skills and be able to make friends along the way.
“I appreciate that for many families, the cost of living remains a challenge which is why good quality and family-friendly programmes such as these are vitally important to local communities. I hope many people get online or in touch to see if they are eligible to sign-up for the programme and I look forward to popping along to see some of the activities first-hand.”
The HAF programme, which has been running since 2021, gives children the opportunity to join activities and experiences throughout Coventry for free, with a nutritious meal, available for any children who meet the entry requirements.
HAF also offers opportunities such as free sessions to The Wave, Planet Ice and other outdoor trips and activities like multi-sports, coding, cooking, skateboarding, performing arts, photography and more.
The programme is primarily for pupils of statutory school age, who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals and Coventry has extended eligibility to other children as well.
The HAF programme also gives extra access for children with additional needs, so all children eligible should be able to attend most activities.
Visit www.coventry.gov.uk/haf or contact the Customer Contact team at 08085 834 333 for more information.
