iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

A big thank you to Kim Johnson MP for raising this issue in Parliament today. If the link is broken between term time free school meal eligibility and HAF eligibility in the school holidays, this will result in two tier child poverty in England.

100

Thank you so much to the thousands of people who have signed our petition and to the dozens of parliamentarians who have written in support of the petition.

110

Today, we have delivered a message to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street; do not break the link between Free School Meals eligibility in term time and HAF during school holidays.

110

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 09/09/2026

Thank you to everyone who has supported our campaign so far. Today, we will be handing in our petition with all your signatures to 10 Downing Street. Eligibility for HAF has always been based on free school meals...

100

The evidence across young people, housing and community support all points the same way. It was a privilege to hear speakers from Stoke on Trent Foodbank who shared their lived experiences, as well as Johanna Baxter MP and DWP Minister Baroness Sherlock.

A sign for the “Living Costs in Context reception – Voices from the frontline,” hosted by the APPG on Ending the Need for Food Banks. It describes evidence from frontline organisations, researchers and policy partners on the systems driving hunger and hardship, with logos of partner organisations including Feeding Britain.

000

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 09/09/2026

This report is clear that hardship is not inevitable. Effective preventative measures can end mass dependence on food banks: adequate incomes, secure housing and accessible, cash-first crisis support are what that looks like in practice, and they cost less than crisis.

Two photos from the Living Costs in Context reception in Parliament. Speakers address an audience from a lectern alongside an APPG on Ending the Need for Food Banks banner and presentation screen.

110

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 09/09/2026

We were pleased to attend the Food Banks APPG reception yesterday to mark the publication of the Hardship in the UK report which was developed in partnership with Trussell, IFAN and others to better understand the drivers of hardship and inform action to reduce the need for charitable food aid.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 08/09/2026

Providers are then left to check eligibility and explain why some children can no longer access places they may have attended before. Keeping HAF linked to free school meal eligibility would remove this unnecessary confusion and make it easier for families to access support.

Text explains that families whose children receive free school meals during term time will understandably expect the same support during the holidays. It says keeping HAF linked to free school meal eligibility would remove unnecessary confusion for families, schools, councils and HAF providers, while helping ensure children do not miss out on support.

Feeding Britain campaign call to action asking people to sign the petition calling on the Government to expand HAF eligibility so every child receiving free school meals can benefit all year round. A QR code appears above an illustration of children and an adult taking part in an activity.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 08/09/2026

... but many of those same children will not automatically qualify for HAF during the holidays. HAF providers have told us that families understandably expect their children to be eligible, only to find that they may be excluded.

Quote from a HAF club in the East Midlands explaining that many parents believe all children receiving free school meals are automatically eligible for HAF. Families can then discover that their child is excluded despite experiencing hardship and food insecurity.

Quote from a HAF club in Northumberland asking what providers are meant to tell parents who arrive expecting to register. It explains that checking the eligibility of children, including those who have previously attended, will take additional time and money that could instead be spent supporting children.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 08/09/2026

Confusion over HAF eligibility is creating more work for providers and putting additional barriers in the way of families who need support. Starting this month, more children will receive Free School Meals during term time...

Green Feeding Britain campaign graphic. Large text reads: “Confusion over HAF eligibility creates more work and unnecessary barriers.” A QR code appears at the bottom left, with an illustration of a child holding their head in their hands.

Text explains that breaking the link between free school meal eligibility and HAF eligibility is creating unnecessary confusion and dividing communities. It says HAF providers will bear the brunt by having to turn some children away and spend valuable time on additional administrative work.

100

This is why HAF matters. HAF provides nutritious meals and enriching activities during the holidays for children from low-income families. It gives them a safe and enjoyable place to spend their holidays, while helping to relieve some of the financial pressure on families.

100

Sign the petition via the link in our bio or here and help us make HAF available to every child who qualifies for Free School Meals: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Text explains that working families are being squeezed by rising living costs, with some parents and carers working multiple jobs while still missing out on HAF because they fall just above the threshold. It says HAF helps children stay active, well fed and safe while enabling parents to continue working without facing impossible childcare costs. Illustration of a child dancing.

Feeding Britain campaign graphic explaining that from September 2026, more children will receive free school meals during term time, but many will still be locked out of HAF during the holidays. Feeding Britain calls for this link to be restored so working families can build a financial buffer. The slide asks people to sign a petition to make HAF available to every child who qualifies for free school meals and includes a QR code.

000

From this month, more children will receive Free School Meals during term time, but many of those children will still be locked out of HAF provision. Feeding Britain is calling for that link to be restored so that working families can build a financial buffer and have some breathing space.

Quote from a HAF club in Merseyside: “We had one lady who was over the threshold by 60p. What are you going to buy with 60p? You can’t even get a loaf. It is so common – for every child that we support, there’s another three that [just] miss out.”

Quote from a HAF club in London: “We regularly see families where parents are working long hours… their income does not stretch far enough to cover the additional costs of childcare during school holidays.”

100

HAF helps children stay active, well fed and safe during the school holidays, while enabling parents to continue working without facing impossible childcare costs. But too many working families are currently excluded from this support.

Graphic explaining that too many families receiving Universal Credit earn a household income that puts their children above the threshold for a HAF place, even though their children will qualify for free school meals from this month. Illustration of children sitting with an adult reading a book.

Text explains that across England, HAF providers are meeting working families whose wages do not stretch far enough to cover food, bills, holiday activities and childcare, but who are excluded from support. It adds that families struggling enough to require free school meals will still struggle during the school holidays.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 26/08/2026

“We regularly see families where parents are working long hours… their income does not stretch far enough to cover the additional costs of childcare during school holidays.”

100

Working families often face additional holiday childcare costs on top of struggling to cover the cost of food, bills and holiday activities. HAF can help fill this gap and support parents and carers to stay in work, and give the same opportunities to young people as their peers.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 18/08/2026

For families already facing financial pressures, the six-week summer holidays can be an especially difficult time. Carrie Hirst, CEO of the Dalgarno Trust, explains how HAF funding allows their centre to provide a safe and welcoming place for local children throughout the summer.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 17/08/2026

Sign our petition today and help enable these opportunities for children and young people: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

A quote from a London HAF club reads: “Having access to a free place has allowed the children to experience a safe, structured and enjoyable environment, helping them build confidence, make friends, and fully take part in holiday activities.” Photos show a young person holding up a piece of crochet and a child potting a plant.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 17/08/2026

These experiences can spark new interests and create lasting memories long after the school holidays are over. We’re calling on the Government to ensure every child who qualifies for free school meals can also access HAF.

Three photographs of HAF activities: children learning to play ukuleles and keyboard with an adult, a young girl practising archery indoors, and part of a colourful handmade fruit and vegetable shop.

Photograph of two smiling children beside a handmade fruit and vegetable shop. Text explains that new experiences help build confidence, develop practical skills and spark new interests, while learning through play helps children make friends and lasting memories.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 17/08/2026

Every child deserves the chance to discover something new. HAF gives children and young people the chance to learn by doing and discover things they might never otherwise have had the chance to try.

Feeding Britain graphic titled “Every child deserves the chance to Discover”. Three photographs show children taking part in HAF activities: playing a piano, gardening outdoors and planting at a table.

Graphic explaining that HAF gives children and young people the chance to learn by doing, including growing and cooking healthy food, making music, meeting animals, creating art and trying new activities. Photos show children gardening outdoors and a young girl holding up her artwork.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 12/08/2026

As one HAF provider put it: "This is so confusing for parents and the HAF club or council... This will take time and therefore cost money, when we should be focusing on ensuring as many children as possible can attend HAF."

Quote from a Northumberland HAF club describing how checking eligibility under the new rules will create confusion for families, increase costs and divert time away from supporting children. Below is a photograph of staff, parents and children taking part in a healthy eating activity around a table.

Closing slide calling on the Government to ensure every child who qualifies for free school meals can also access HAF. It says simpler eligibility rules would free up staff and volunteers to focus on supporting children and young people. A QR code links to the petition.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 12/08/2026

From September, new eligibility rules risk placing more administrative pressure on these teams. Instead of supporting children, providers could find themselves focusing energy on eligibility checks and managing disappointment when some children qualify and others don't.

Text explains that qualified staff and dedicated volunteers create safe, structured environments where children receive nutritious meals, enjoy enrichment activities, build trusted relationships and feel included. Below is a photograph of an adult leading gardening activities with children inside a polytunnel.

Parent testimonial from a North West HAF club praising supportive staff for keeping children safe, happy, engaged and well cared for. Below is a photograph of staff and volunteers serving food to children in a community kitchen.

Photograph of children and adults playing together under a colourful parachute during an outdoor HAF activity.

Text explains that new eligibility criteria from September 2026 risk increasing administrative work for HAF providers, reducing time available to support children and families. Below is a photograph of staff preparing healthy food with children.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 12/08/2026

Behind every great HAF club is a team of dedicated staff and volunteers. They create safe, welcoming spaces where children and young people can enjoy nutritious meals, try new activities, make friends and build confidence.

Title slide reading "The People Making HAF Possible." A collage of photographs shows HAF staff and volunteers with children during activities, including feeding farm animals, outdoor games and a community event.

Photograph of children and an adult using a roundabout in an outdoor play area during a HAF session.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 11/08/2026

“It gives them structure, it keeps them active, and it helps them with the cost of living” In this clip, Darren from Walton Youth and Community Project shares how HAF clubs provide healthy meals, activities, and social connections while easing the pressure on parents facing rising living costs.

100

From September, around 500,000 children who will qualify for free school meals during term time will still be excluded from HAF during the school holidays. Feeding Britain is calling on the Government to ensure every child who qualifies for free school meals can also access HAF.

A group of children gather with their bicycles at an outdoor activity session, preparing for a cycling activity in a park. The image highlights opportunities to build confidence and stay active through new experiences.

Final call-to-action slide stating that from September 2026, around 500,000 children who qualify for free school meals during term time will still be excluded from HAF during the school holidays. It calls on the Government to ensure every child eligible for free school meals can also access HAF and encourages viewers to sign the petition using the QR code. Beside the text, two young people smile while using a rope swing outdoors.

100

As one HAF provider shared: "...they're exercising without knowing it, they're laughing, they're having fun – they otherwise might just be sitting indoors on video games, not getting any sunshine, not getting any social interaction."

Children wearing boxing gloves and protective headgear take part in a supervised boxing session with a coach inside a gym. The activity introduces participants to a new sport in a safe, structured environment.

The heading reads "More than just sport". A checklist highlights how team games and group activities help children and young people make friends, stay active, build confidence, learn teamwork, develop new skills and have fun. Alongside the text, two young children smile while playing together on a playground seesaw.

100

Time spent playing outdoors, taking part in sport, building teamwork skills and exploring new activities helps children develop confidence and encourages a lifelong enjoyment of being active.

Children play football together on a blue outdoor sports pitch during a HAF holiday club session. A football sits between two children while others wait to join in. A white arrow at the bottom indicates the next slide.

Text reads: "Active holidays help children play, move and thrive." It explains that HAF gives children and young people opportunities to stay active throughout the school holidays, from organised sports to outdoor adventures, helping build healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Below, a group of young people take part in an inclusive dance and movement session.

100

Feeding Britain @feedingbritain.org · 04/08/2026

Physical activity is a key part of every Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme. By combining nutritious meals with opportunities to get active, HAF helps children and young people build healthy habits that last beyond the school holidays.

100

The school holidays should be a time for children to play, build confidence, and make lasting memories. But the holidays can bring additional pressures around time and budgets with too many children going without the food or fulfilment they need to survive.

100

We're calling on the Government to ensure every child eligible for free school meals can also access HAF. Please sign our petition and help protect this vital support: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

000

But from September, around 500,000 children who will qualify for free school meals during term time will still be excluded from HAF during the school holidays under current plans.

Quote from a Merseyside HAF club about a young person with learning disabilities who had struggled to fit in at school. It explains how HAF helped them make friends, enjoy activities, gain confidence and leave excited to return.

Text explains that excluding children who qualify for free school meals from HAF means they lose access not only to meals but also to supportive environments that build confidence, friendships, resilience and provide specialist support. It states that Feeding Britain is calling on the Government to ensure every child eligible for free school meals can also access HAF.

100

Whether it's a child awaiting an autism diagnosis, a young person with learning disabilities, or a family experiencing illness or social isolation, HAF creates safe spaces where children can build confidence and develop friendships.

Text explains that HAF offers routine, stability and specialist support for children and young people facing additional challenges, including disability, neurodiversity, family illness, military deployment and social isolation. Illustration of an adult speaking with a smiling child using a wheelchair.

Quote from a Hampshire HAF club describing a child awaiting an autism diagnosis. It explains that, with appropriate supervision, the child is able to take part in group activities and that structured provision supports their social development and overall wellbeing.

100