The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun Easter programme is now closed.
The next programme will run during the Summer holidays, between 24th July – 5th September 2023!
The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun (BNHF) activity programme is run in partnership with Norfolk County Council, and provides holiday activities for children and young people aged 4-16 in Norfolk.
Children eligible for means-tested free school meals can claim free spaces on the activities, whilst paid spots are available on most activities for those who don’t. Find out more about this in our FAQ section.
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What activities are happening over Summer?
The next Big Norfolk Holiday Fun scheme will take place over the Summer holidays, between 24th July – 5th September 2023. Bookings will open in mid-June.
There will be a range of activities available all over the county, aimed at various ages. These include football, basketball, circus skills, arts and crafts and dance. It also involves music, cookery, film-making and much more!
It’s a fantastic way to encourage children and young people to try new things whilst keeping their brains and bodies stimulated over the school holidays. All children taking part will also receive a nutritious free meal as part of the offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find out more information below by browsing our frequently asked questions. If you still have questions, you can get in touch with the team directly below.
Big Norfolk Holiday Fun is a centrally government funded three year programme aimed at Free school meal eligible and otherwise vulnerable children, aged 5-16years. (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 runs in the Easter, Summer and Winter holidays. It will run on weekdays only. The last holiday it is planned to run is Winter 2024.
To receive the latest updates, sign up to the BNHF newsletter here.
We no longer use a code system.
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.
Those not eligible for a free space will be able to secure a paid space on most activities. You may also use Short Break funds to pay for places.
Remember you may be eligible for meals tested Free School Meals even if you do not claim for them. Check and apply here.
Funding for the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme is from the Department of Education, and is aimed at those children on means tested free school meals.
They have also made a small amount of the overall funding available for Awarded Places. These are places which are free to children County Council feel are particularly vulnerable. In Norfolk these include refugees, excluded, socially isolated, young carers, victims of domestic violence, victims of exploitation, and children in care.
However we consider all Awarded Places on a case-by-case basis. If you wish to be considered for an Awarded Place, please direct any professional working with the child to use our referral form.
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 means-tested free school meals, check with your child’s school, or via the council website.
See also: “My child doesn’t receive free school meals – can they still take part?”
A limited number of free places are also available for other children who would benefit.
These additional free places are offered on the basis that, without assistance, the child would be unable to attend, whether due to the family’s financial situation or other complicating factor impacting the child.
These places will be provided at the discretion of Norfolk County Council and Active Norfolk. Where a place is not available, alternative sources of support will be offered.
To find out more about accessing BNHF please contact [email protected]
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. A session is not always a full day- the length of a session can vary between providers.
Funding for the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme is from the Department of Education, and is aimed at those children on means tested free school meals.
They have also made a small amount of the overall funding available for Awarded Places. These are places which are free to children County Council feel are particularly vulnerable. In Norfolk these include refugees, excluded, socially isolated, young carers, victims of domestic violence, victims of exploitation, and children in care.
However we consider all Awarded Places on a case-by-case basis. If you wish to be considered for an Awarded Place, please direct any professional working with the child to use our referral form.
The programme is designed to run as many activities in as many places 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.
The BNHF is part of a country wide programme called Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) funded by the Department of Education.
Active Norfolk and Norfolk County Council administer the programme in Norfolk. The way we do so is determined by the funding requirements of the Department of Education. For more information, please see the gov.uk website.
Safety assurances around Big Norfolk Holiday Fun sessions
Children’s safety and wellbeing is paramount. Norfolk County Council and Active Norfolk, which jointly deliver Norfolk Big Holiday Fun, require all participating providers to have relevant and appropriately inclusive policies and procedures in place. This is in relation to safeguarding, health and safety and accessibility.
Children’s safety and wellbeing is paramount. Norfolk County Council and Active Norfolk, which jointly deliver Norfolk Big Holiday Fun, require all participating providers to have relevant and appropriately inclusive policies and procedures in place. This is in relation to safeguarding, health and safety and accessibility.
We require providers to offer activities which are inclusive and accessible to children and young people with special educational needs or disabilities, and also to work with parents and carers at the time of booking with regards to any requirements, adaptations or adjustments needed. This also includes the ability to respond to health conditions.
Safety is a primary consideration when planning activities or events, and always includes the duty to safeguard children. We provide appropriate training (where needed) to support providers with this, including using the Code of Practice for Keeping Children Safe and a guidance leaflet for keeping young people safe in sport.
All providers must have a suitable and up-to-date risk assessment plan in line with the latest government guidelines. We also support this by providing a risk assessment process which can be used to record, identify and assess risks for each session.
Contact the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun team
If you still have a question after reading the FAQs, click the button below to get in touch with the BNHF team. Please do not email Active Norfolk as this is a separate team.
Contact us