Happy Healthy Holidays

Children and young people receiving free school meals can sign up to enjoy free activities during the Summer break with our Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF).

Funded by the Department for Education, 'Happy Healthy Holidays' provides a great opportunity for local children and young people who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals to do something exciting in the school holidays and meet new friends. The sessions include a variety of fun activities alongside a nutritious meal each day at no cost to you.

The programme includes specific provisions available for children with SEND or additional needs.

Our Summer programme of activities will be being delivered by a number of providers with information to be available over the coming weeks.

Changes to how you book

If your child is eligible for a funded place for activities included in our Winter 2025 Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF), you will receive an e-voucher by text or email before the summer holidays.

This will be from hello@holidays - a service that Lancashire County Council has commissioned to send out the vouchers.

The vouchers will be issued by your child’s school and sent to the contact phone number or email account held by them.  This will only be used for holiday e-vouchers.

You will need to use the special 16-digit HAF code at the bottom of the voucher to be able to book any of the activities below through the link.

This is for your child only and is not transferable.

To book your eligible child a place and for further information, please book Here

Provision Available in the Lancaster District over the Winter Holidays.

Below is a summary of some of the available provision within Lancaster over the Winter Holidays.

Ridge Community Centre

We offer an 8-day holiday programme for children and young people aged 4–16, running daily from 9am to 9pm. Each session includes at least one hot meal, and takes place within a safe, nurturing environment designed to promote positive participation, confidence, and personal development.

Our Christmas programme delivers a diverse range of engaging, festive-themed activities, such as arts and crafts, gaming competitions, visits to local attractions, talent contests, and age-appropriate life-skills workshops (e.g., helping with washing up, preparing elements of a Christmas dinner, and understanding how to enjoy Christmas in healthy, positive ways).

We work closely with local community partners and use nearby resources wherever possible, including activities at Claver Hill Community Allotment and support from partner organisations such as SFT, who provide Santa Claus for our Christmas party. In addition, we offer a special pantomime trip for families with a child enrolled in the playscheme.

Our goal is to create a fun, inclusive, and enriching holiday experience that supports children’s wellbeing, builds life skills, and strengthens families and community connections during the festive season.

Juno Sports

Join us at Carnforth Primary for our Winter Wonderland Holiday Club! You can expect all manner of sports, including traditional favourites such as football, cricket, tennis and tag-rugby as well as our list of exciting non-traditional sports, including UV Dodgeball, Ultimate Frisbee, Archery, Axe Throwing and Laser Tag. Plus we'll have lots of seasonal arts & crafts! Breakfast and lunch are all included! Say goodbye to 2025 and hello to 2026 on 29th & 30th December!

Imagination Gaming

Come and join us for oodles of fun... learning and playing some of the coolest, smartest, fast witted and amusing board games from across the world. Games that are easy to pick up but hard to put down! The cornerstone of our ""Learn to Play, Play to Learn"" motto.

Games and activities for all ages and abilities, with something for everyone, whatever your interests.

With lots of new games hot off the press, robotics, coding and problem solving our mind-bending puzzles are guaranteed to make you smile!

Make your move and come join us … take on your friends, make some new friendships and have a wonderful time!

See more here. (PNG, 3.2MB) We can’t wait to see you!

 

Anyone with any queries on the programme can email HAF@lancaster.gov.uk and someone will be in touch.

Last updated: 21 November 2025