The Department for Education (DfE) funded holiday activities and food (HAF) programme aims to support children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.
Our Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme at Slapton Ley is about more than just a day outdoors; it’s unlocking confidence, connection, and opportunity for young people who may not otherwise access it.
Who is this programme for?
The programme is for children in receipt of benefit related free school meals. To see if your child is eligible, please refer to the information for parents and carers page. The HAF programme covers the holiday periods of a maximum of four days at spring, 16 days in the summer and four days at winter, it does not run in half-term holidays.
For Gemma and her daughter Nelly, attending a HAF Nature Day was a big step.
Taking the first step outdoors
Nelly had previously found it difficult to take part in group activities or attend holiday clubs. Traditional settings felt overwhelming, and new environments could be especially challenging.
As Gemma explains:
“My daughter struggles to participate in group activity settings or attend any holiday clubs… we felt this would suit her as it was outside in the Nature Reserve and in small groups.”
For families like Gemma’s, the design of our HAF days, small groups, supportive tutors, and outdoor learning, makes all the difference.
Overcoming barriers
Nelly is neurodivergent and has Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA), which can make structured environments and instructions difficult to navigate.
Gemma shares:
“Traditional education is challenging… and she is a flight risk if she becomes unregulated.”
These are very real barriers for many families, and they can often prevent children from accessing enriching holiday activities. That’s why funded programmes like HAF are so important. They provide not only financial support, but also inclusive, flexible environments where children can engage in ways that work for them.
A day full of surprises
The impact of Nelly’s experience was immediate and powerful.
“She was happy. She returned full of excitement and joy about the day… I hadn’t expected her to engage as well as she had or have the confidence to talk to other children.”
What started as a cautious step became a moment of growth — building confidence, social connection, and independence.
Lasting impact beyond the day
The benefits didn’t end when the day finished. Gemma noticed a meaningful change in how Nelly experiences the outdoors:
“She is taking the time to pause more when outside, looking for what is hidden in nature. This is bringing a mindfulness practice… helping her focus and calm.”
This is the long-term impact of outdoor learning , fostering curiosity, wellbeing, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
Why opportunities like this matter
For Gemma, the importance of programmes like HAF is clear:
“Outdoor education offers young people the chance to connect with nature… from self-development, trying new things, making friends, confidence building, to mindfulness.”
For Nelly, it also meant something more personal:
“Nelly made new friendship groups that day, which is a big step for her — and was able to do it naturally whilst exploring.”
These are moments that can’t be replicated in a classroom.
A moment of wonder
And sometimes, it’s the smallest discoveries that leave the biggest impression. In Nelly’s own words:
“I thought I found frogspawn… but it was snail eggs! I had never seen snail eggs before — VERY exciting. I also enjoyed lying on the grass watching the clouds, and making my own pizza for lunch.”
Help us make more moments like this possible
Stories like Nelly’s show the true power of accessible outdoor learning.
Through fundraising and support, we can:
- Reach more children facing barriers to participation
- Provide safe, inclusive outdoor experiences
- Build confidence, wellbeing, and lifelong connections with nature
Every contribution helps create opportunities for children like Nelly to thrive.