Merton's Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) projects offer fun things to do during the school holidays for children and young people aged 5 to 15.
They are free for children on benefits-related free school meals.
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme is free for pupil premium children from 5 to 15 years old who live in or go to school in Merton, and a few other priority groups. There’s so much to enjoy:
- Multi-sport and multi-activity camps
- Football, basketball and tennis coaching
- Watersports at Wimbledon Park Lake
- New Coding Clubs and a new Arts Club
- Performing arts programmes in dance, drama, and music
- Lots of community-based activities with trips out
- A Youth Service programme full of activities and trips
HAF projects run during main school holidays and half-term holidays.
Summer 2025
Summer mainstream brochure 2025
Parents and cares of eligible children should have received their vouchers for Summer, by email or text, along with instructions on how to use them to book holiday places for your children. There’s a helpline if you’re stuck, and all HAF providers will help parents through the booking process too. If you’re unsure whether a provider will be able to support your child appropriately, we encourage you to contact them using the details on the brochure for a discussion. Please email HAF@merton.gov.uk with any queries.
Special educational needs
Summer special educational needs brochure 2025
We also have a targeted SEN HAF programme for pupils in our Alternative Resource Provisions and other pupils with similar needs who are referred by their school. Vouchers are distributed on Fridays, with four vouchers with 3 credits if your child is also pupil premium , and one voucher with 3 credits sessions if not. You can book and pay for additional sessions using the vouchers too. Instructions on how to book holiday places for your children can be found on the email/text in which you received your vouchers. If you’re stuck, contact HAF@merton.gov.uk. Have a great Half-term!
Funding for HAF projects
The DfE has given Merton funding for Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays in 2025/26. We have committed £170,000 to enable eligible children to enjoy HAF in May, October and February half terms too. We are one of very few Council’s delivering HAF in half-terms.
HAF provider selection process for 2025-26
We have recently conducted a provider selection process and chosen HAF providers for the remainder of 2025-26, with options for this to be extended a further year as funding is announced. While we are always interested in potential new HAF providers, it is likely that we will only consider applications which offer a new activity to enrichen the programme, or can reach communities currently under-represented, or are designed for particular cohorts, for example children with SEN or children missing education.
Organisations will need to show they can deliver positive activities for pupils which will enable them to gain skills, see and do new things and develop friendships. Provider should offer a healthy and nutritious meal as part of their offer, with snacks and drinks provided on arrival and during sessions. Provider should have safeguarding policies and practices in place, along with appropriate leadership, staffing and insurance.
Applications should be submitted to haf@merton.gov.uk
Potential providers are welcome to speak with Bob Allen, HAF Programme Manager for general advice and feedback on their draft applications and to attend online Provider Briefing and Q&A Teams Meetings. Contact details are given in the HAF Provider’s Guide.
Help with childcare costs
In addition to this programme, families who are eligible for Universal Credit may be able to claim back up to 85% of their childcare costs. Please visit Help With Childcare Costs (GOV.UK) to find out more
More things to do
You can discover lots of things to do in the local area on the Young Merton website.