Free online and face-to-face activities for eligible children in Southampton this summer

Children aged between 4 and 16 who are eligible for Free School Meals in Southampton can sign up now to take part in free activities over the school summer holidays.

There is something for all ages and interests - from fun voyages through the city’s history and creative workshops at Southampton’s museums and art gallery and exciting opportunities at dry ski-slopes and watersports, to online activities including drumming lessons and cooking lessons. The varied choice of activities has been arranged by Southampton City Council and partners as part of the government-funded Holiday Activities and Food Programme

The schedule of activities and information about how to join will be available from HAF Southampton by signing up. Once the schedule is complete, anyone who has signed up will be emailed with a link to allow them to book activities.

In addition, as part of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, a number of schools across the city will be opening to run in-person activities for eligible children and free healthy food will be made available to those who need it at over 58 locations across the city. Schools are communicating directly with the parents and carers of eligible children about how this will work.

Councillor James Baillie, Cabinet Member for Education at Southampton City Council, said:

“With restrictions easing and the weather improving, we’re delighted to have been able to work with such a broad range of partners to help keep children busy, active and well-fed over the summer holidays. With activities taking place at dozens of locations across the city, there really is something for everyone, so I’d encourage parents and carers to visit the website and sign-up to be among the first to know about and book the exciting activities on offer.”

During the pandemic the Department for Education announced that the holiday activities and food (HAF) programme would be expanded across the whole of England in 2021. Funds were made available to every local authority in England to coordinate free holiday provision, including healthy food and enrichment activities. In Southampton the programme has already covered the Easter holidays and will now cover the summer and Christmas holidays in 2021.