Sandwell Holiday Activities

Sandwell Holiday Activities

Looking for activities across Sandwell to keep the children entertained during the school holidays?

There are lots of great, exciting activities happening for children and young people right across Sandwell during school holidays. From horse riding to rock climbing there really is something for everyone. Holiday Activities are a brilliant way to try new things, make new friends and learn new skills.

The Holiday Activity and Food programme will provide a healthy meal and a range of activities for school aged children during Easter, Summer, and Winter school holidays.

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What is the Holiday Activities and Food Programme?

Children will be able to access holiday club activities for 4 hours a day, at Easter and winter children who meet the criteria will be able to attend 4 free sessions and at summer they will be able to choose and attend 16 free sessions. Some providers may be able to offer additional hours or flexible times, these may incur a charge. Parents are advised to talk to the holiday club in advance to discuss individual requirements.

 If you meet the criteria* you will have received an E-voucher through email or text. This will have booking information and codes you need to book your child onto activities.

Don’t meet the eligibility criteria but looking for activities? Search FREE on our website or visit our social media platforms (Facebook / Twitter @SandwellHAF) for activities that provide FREE universal or subsidised places

* If your child receives Benefit Related Free School Meals or has an EHCP, are Looked After or have No Recourse to Public Funding you will receive a HAF E-voucher with a unique code each holiday period via email or text (a bit like the FSM supermarket vouchers) you will need this code to book activities. Book activities through the Link within the email or text.

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How do I know if my child is eligible?

Children who are eligible for benefit related free school meals or have an EHCP, are Looked After or have No Recourse to Public Funding will be able to access activities for free and will receive a hot meal where possible.

Many families in Sandwell could get free school meals but don’t claim for them. Your child may be entitled to free school meals if:

your annual income is less than £16,190; and

you claim Child Tax Credit (*Not Including Working Tax Credit) only; and

your child is attending a Sandwell School (if your child doesn’t attend a Sandwell School, you will need to apply to the Local Authority in which your child school is)

Please email education_benefits@sandwell.gov.uk

Free School Meals in Sandwell

Free school meals vouchers during school holidays

Those who are eligible will still receive free school meal vouchers as well as being able to access activities.

Food vouchers to the value of £15 per week will be provided for children eligible for free school meals over the 2023/24 holidays, from Easter (2 weeks), Whitsun (1 week), Summer (6 weeks), October (1 week), Christmas (2 weeks) and February (1 week) holidays in 2024. Your child’s school will send out these vouchers, not the authority

Please note, this does not include children who receive a free meal under the Universal Free Meal Scheme that is available to all children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2.

Visit Free school meals in Sandwell or call 0121 569 8186 or 8189 / email education_benefits@sandwell.gov.uk

What's on during the holidays?

Your children are unique with their own interests and personalities. We ensure that there is a wide variety of activities that your children can access that they will really enjoy.

We work with partners from schools and council services, voluntary and community organisations, faith sector organisations and businesses.

All our providers offer a warm, friendly welcome, and they make sure children feel valued and included. Providers have qualified staff who are experienced in working with children, young people and families. They genuinely care about your children’s happiness and provide enriching experiences.

Activities in Sandwell


What will my children do at these clubs?

Holiday activities are a brilliant opportunity to try new things! There is plenty of choice including different sports, music, dance, art, drama, cooking and much, much more. All activities are fun and engaging, helping children grow in confidence and learn new skills.

We have holiday camp activities where you can leave your child, freeing up your time whilst they have lots of fun or activities that you can do together as a family.

All activities will support children’s development, enhance health and wellbeing, social skills, mental health, creative and imaginative skills, cultural understanding, empowerment and independence.

Will my children be safe at these clubs?

We work alongside all providers to establish safe environments for our children. Parents can be confident that their children are participating in quality services.

All the holiday clubs participating are either registered with Ofsted and inspected by Ofsted or monitored by the Local Authority. The providers have appropriately trained staff who are experienced with working with children aged 5 years and above and working with children who have special educational needs and disabilities. Staff regularly access safeguarding, paediatric first aid, food safety, health and safety training as these are a requirement of their Ofsted registration.

Where can I find a holiday club?

All activities can be found one our activity page on the website. You can search activities by the location, activity type, age, or keyword. Once you find an activity you like click show details and it will take you to the activity page where you can find out more information about the club and how to contact them directly. You can also save an activity for later (you can see all your saved activities by clicking the heart icon).

As well as HAF activities you can find information on activities that provide FREE universal places such as Swimming in Sandwell, activities in museum and libraries and the Go Play and Youth universal offer.

Family Information Service Hub

Sandwell Holiday Activities

Go Play Sandwell

Just Youth

When can they go to the holiday club?

The holiday clubs participating in the programme will be available during Easter, summer and winter holidays.

They will usually open during the week for 4 hour session. However, some clubs may vary these times, so it is best to check on the website and with the club you want to use.

How do I book a place at the holiday club?

If you meet the criteria you will have received an E-voucher through email or text. This will have booking information and codes you need to book your child onto activities.

Holiday clubs may also provide a holiday club registration form which will include contact details from you and information regarding your child’s needs and additional requirements.

If you do not meet the criteria contact the provider directly for booking information.

What if my child goes to school in Sandwell, but lives in another local authority?

Eligible children who do not live in Sandwell will be able to access the activity programme in their home local authority. Please contact your local council to find out what they can offer. If children do not live in Sandwell but attend a Sandwell School they may choose which local authority programme they want to take part in.

What will happen with the information I provide about my child?

Sandwell Council is allowed to hold information about children and families as part of their duty to support families under the General Data Protection Regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.

The law says they must:

  • only hold information that they need for the delivery of the programme
  • only use the information for that reason
  • make sure the information they hold is accurate
  • keep the information only for as long as it is needed
  • make sure they only use the information lawfully and not breach your rights as the owner of this information
  • keep the information secure at all times

They will need to share your child's information with the provider of any activities that your child takes part in. This is to make sure that the provider can effectively deliver their activities.

Your child’s personal information will only be shared with the providers who deliver the activity and holiday programme, and only for the purpose of delivering the programme.

Other questions or need help?

If you have any issues with your e-vouchers contact support@evouchers.com for help

For other questions visit Sandwell Holiday Activities Frequently Asked Questions page  or contact the team HAF_Sandwell@sandwell.gov.uk who will be happy to help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Holiday Activities and Food Programme?

The Department for Education has invested funding into Sandwell Holiday Activities to support families in receipt of benefit related free school meals. They recognised the need for enriching opportunities that involve children making new friends, exploring different things, visiting new places, learning new skills, and most importantly having a lot of fun!

Activities are inclusive and many providers cater for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Holiday activities and food programme guidance

Page last reviewed: 21/08/2023

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Family Information Service

family_information@sandwell.gov.uk
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