Easter Big Norfolk Holiday Fun: Running 07-17 April 2025

Next week, we will launch the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun (BNHF) programme for Easter 2025.

The Department for Education has agreed to a further year of funding for the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme, ensuring that activities will run during the Easter, summer, and Christmas holidays. Activities run from 07-17 April (excluding weekends and bank holidays).

There are 4 free sessions on offer per child, if aged 4-16 and receiving free school meals. They will be able to learn new skills, meet new friends, and access a healthy meal at no cost.

Schools have told us that the BNHF programmes, funded through the HAF (Holiday, Activity and Food) scheme, have contributed to improved school attendance. This was reported among children who have attended a holiday club, as they were given the chance to build their social skills and make new friends in a supportive environment. 

Your support continues to be vital in promoting the programme to eligible children. Thank you to everyone who requested a free promotional print pack last week.

To those who missed the deadline, you can still support BNHF in other ways. From next week, you can access a free digital marketing pack to help spread awareness of the programme. These packs will include digital flyers to circulate in your online communications and newsletters to parents. More information will follow in our next e-bulletin.

While this Easter's provider applications have passed, you are welcome to email bnhf@norfolk.gov.uk to register your interest in hosting or providing activities for students in the summer.

Referrals

We have a small amount of funding available for children and young people not in receipt of benefits-related free school meals, but who would get a lot from taking part in the programme for free. These BNHF Awarded places are limited and are subject to referral criteria.

We want to ensure referrals for these places come from professionals rather than parents. The form to refer a child is here.

Please remember the following:

• Always check with the family that the child isn't already in receipt of benefits-related free school meals. Families can check here.
• Please be aware, just because one child in a family is eligible, not all their children may be!
• Universal free school meals for reception to Year 2 (approx. 7 years old) is different from benefits-related free school meals. Families can check eligibility here.
• Please try to apply as soon as possible, ideally before the end of the school term before delivery starts.

BNHF Bank Staff

We are looking for experienced people who work with children and young people to join us to support our activity providers as and when needed.

We are especially keen to hear from anyone who can assist children with additional needs who need 1-2-1 support.

If you are interested and have time, please complete this form and we will be in touch.

If you have further questions about the programme, please email: bnhf@norfolk.gov.uk.