HAF FUND

Working Together to Support Blackpool’s Children

At Vida Education, we believe schools are at the heart of their communities. That’s why we’re proud to be working with Blackpool Council to support the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme — a scheme designed to make sure children and young people have what they need to thrive during the school holidays.

What Is the HAF Programme?

School holidays should be a time of fun, play and rest but for many families in Blackpool, they can bring added pressure. Children who normally receive free school meals may miss out on regular, healthy food and opportunities to socialise in safe environments.

The HAF programme helps to change that by providing:

Nutritious food for children who need it most
Fun, active sessions such as sport, games, arts and crafts
Safe, supportive spaces to learn, play and make friends

The core programme is designed to run during Easter, Summer and Christmas, covering several weeks of the year.

Extending Support Where It’s Needed Most

The reality is that the need in Blackpool doesn’t stop after Christmas, Easter or Summer. Families face the same challenges during the shorter breaks too.

To help meet this overwhelming demand, Blackpool Council is working to extend HAF to cover up to nine weeks of the year; February, May and October half-terms.

Vida Education is proud to play a part in making this expansion possible, helping to ensure children continue to have access to food, activities and safe spaces all year round.

For more information on the HAF Programme

Why It Matters

Blackpool has some of the highest levels of child poverty in the UK

For many families, school meals are a lifeline — leaving holiday periods especially tough

Extending HAF means even more children can be supported across the full school year

Our Role at Vida Education

Every time a Blackpool school books supply staff through Vida Education, we give back. By reinvesting part of our income, we’re helping to fund places on the HAF programme for children in Blackpool.

This means that your staffing choices don’t just keep classrooms running smoothly, they also help to provide meals, activities and care during the holidays, including those extra weeks where funding is most needed.

Join Us in Making a Difference

If you’re a Blackpool school or academy, partnering with Vida Education means your bookings are already helping local families.