Bromley’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme annual report

Since its inception in 2019, when the local authority joined the Department for Education’s pilot scheme, the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme has played a vital role in alleviating  hunger and providing enriching activities for children and young people across Bromley during  school holiday periods.

The programme has fostered strong collaboration between council staff, community leaders, voluntary organisations, charities, and wider public sector partners. Ongoing consultation with these key stakeholders continues to shape the programme’s development and inform key decision-making, alongside senior council officials.

This report provides an overview of Bromley’s HAF programme during the 2025/26 grant year, outlining its delivery and highlighting the positive impact on children, young people, and their families.

School holidays can present significant challenges for families on low incomes. Bromley’s HAF programme addresses these challenges by delivering high-quality provision that ensures all participating children and young people benefit from:

• At least one free, nutritious, and filling meal each day.
• Engaging physical activity sessions.
• A diverse range of stimulating and age-appropriate activities.
• Opportunities to try new experiences and develop new interests.
• Access to learning about food, nutrition, and healthy lifestyles for both children and their families.
• A safe and supportive environment where they can build confidence, develop social skills, and form new friendships.

The programme was delivered during the Easter, Summer, and Winter school holidays in 2025 to 2026, comprising:

• 2 weeks over the Easter holiday period,
• 6 weeks during the Summer holidays, and
• 8 days across the Winter holiday period.

The eligibility criteria included children and young people in receipt of Targeted benefit-related Free School Meals (FSM), as per the grant conditions. We were also able to utilise scope within these conditions to extend the support to many other vulnerable groups.