Big Norfolk Holiday Fun

Big Norfolk Holiday Fun is a centrally government funded programme aimed at Free school meal eligible and otherwise vulnerable children, aged 5-16 years. (or 4 if your child is slightly younger but in school). 

It is designed to offer a safe and fun activity to get your child moving and active, eat a healthy meal, learn new skills and meet other children.

The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme was initially planned to run in the Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays for the past four years.

Thanks to lobbying across the country, the programme’s funding was extended for an additional year in early 2025. As a result, we are thrilled to announce we’ll be running programmes in Easter, Summer and Winter 2025.

Free spaces are available for children who receive benefits-related free school meals. Please note, this is not the same as universal free school meals (see FAQ below)

However, those not eligible for a free space will be able to secure a paid space on most activities. Simply check the description for how to book on and pay for an activity.

Remember, you may be eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals even if you do not claim for them. Check and apply here.

When the programme is live, bookings will be taken directly through the Every Move activity finder. When signing up, you’ll be asked to confirm whether your child is eligible for a free space, and this will be automatically checked against our database once the booking is complete.

Please note, if you claim a free school meals place when not eligible, your child’s space on activities will be cancelled.

Those not eligible for a free space will be able to secure a paid space on most activities.

Most parents will be aware if their child is eligible as they will be receiving free meals.

However, if you think you might be eligible and not receiving benefits-related free school meals, check with your child’s school, or via the council website.

If you are not eligible for means-tested free school meals, but think your child should get a free space, see FAQ “I think my child should get a free space, but doesn’t get means-tested free school meals.”

Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme is funded to target children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals.

Funding is also available for Awarded Places. These places are offered to children the County Council considers particularly vulnerable in Norfolk. This includes refugees, excluded children, socially isolated individuals, young carers, victims of domestic abuse or exploitation and children in care.

To apply, you need to request a professional working with the child, such as a youth or social worker, or teacher to use our referral form. Please note, self-referrals from parents or guardians are not accepted.

Big Norfolk Holiday Fun activities will be listed on the Every Move activity finder approximately 5 weeks before the start of the holidays. 

The total maximum sessions per child is 4 in Easter holidays, 4 in Winter holidays and 16 in Summer holidays.

Occasionally, a provider may offer a continuous programme to attend over 5 days, and on such activities attendees will be expected to attend all 5 sessions. The length of a session can vary between providers.

We aim to make the programme as inclusive as possible.

Please always contact your chosen activity provider and discuss if they can accommodate your child’s needs and can offer suitable additional 121 before you book. By filling in this form and sending it to providers, it may help providers understand your child’s requirements.

If your child has a Personal Assistant and receives means-tested free school meals, you can arrange for your PA to be reimbursed at no cost to yourself, in order to support your child at an activity. For further details on this scheme see here.

If the activity staff are unable to provide the necessary support, and you don’t have a PA, but your child receives 121 support at school, you can ask your child’s school or any other professional working with your child to request additional assistance. They need to complete this referral form as soon as possible.

We do not have funding for transporting children to or from BNHF activities, unless it has been arranged as part of the activity by the provider. 

There are very particular and exceptional circumstances, when we may be able to support families. Each situation takes into account whether or not they have access to transport of their own, public transport, alternative family transport or options to lift share, the specific needs of the parent and the vulnerability of the child.  

If you feel your child fits this criterion, please ask us via email on [email protected] or ask a professional to refer the child via our referral form.

There are two types of free school meals.

One is called universal free school meals and is for all children from Reception – Year 2 inclusive.

The other type is called means-tested or benefits-related free school meal, and is based on your income.

Children who receive means-tested free school meals are eligible for Big Norfolk Holiday Fun spaces, whilst unfortunately children who receive universal free school meals are not.

You can check if your child is eligible and apply for means tested free school meals here.

The funding pot from central government enables us to run our four-year Big Norfolk Holiday programme which has recently been extended for 2025. We’d love if you would share with us your memorable experiences of the scheme so far, send your stories to [email protected]

Active Norfolk and Norfolk County Council administer the programme in Norfolk.  The way we do so is determined by strict funding requirements.

If you have a question about the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme, please contact [email protected] where a member of the team will get back to you.

If you have a question about an existing Every Move booking, please contact the provider directly. Their details will be listed at the bottom of the activity.