The Impact of the Braintree District HAF Programme 2024-2026
Expanding holiday provision and family support in Braintree.
Essex ActivAte is the government‑funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme delivered by Active Essex.
During school half terms and holidays, Active Essex works with a network of locally trusted organisations across the county to provide free holiday clubs that support the physical and mental wellbeing of eligible children and their families. Since 2021, Essex ActivAte has supported families across Braintree District, offering over 40,000 places to date, to children who need it most. Between 2021 and 2025, eligibility for Benefit‑Based Free School Meals (BBFSM) in Braintree rose by 19%, reflecting the growing need. Combined with the rising cost of living, local partners (led by Active Braintree Foundation) recognised that families required greater support than ever before.
In alignment with the Braintree District Council Livewell Health and Wellbeing Strategy, increasing physical activity levels is a core HAF outcome. Local data shows key challenges: 51% of children and young people do not meet daily activity guidelines; 22% of Reception‑aged children are overweight or obese, rising to 35% by Year, highlighting the importance of early intervention. UKSPF funding enabled Braintree District Council to expand provision, add capacity, and strengthen wrap‑around family support, bringing in partners that enhance and add value to the existing HAF delivery network.
Active Essex worked closely with Braintree District Council and reported regularly through Active Braintree Foundation meetings (strategic steering group of key district partners). Through these forums, Active Essex shared attendance data, emerging needs, and impact insights, enabling collaborative decisions on targeting demand, prioritising groups, and increasing physical activity and wellbeing opportunities. This evidence has shaped future provision and demonstrated the value of UKSPF investment, ensuring resources were directed where they would have the greatest impact.
Partnership working has been fundamental to the success of the HAF programme in Braintree District. Strategic alignment and oversight have been provided through Braintree District Council and the Active Braintree Foundation steering group, enabling partners to respond to local needs and maximise impact. Active Essex working closely with local HAF delivery partners including Camp 4 Champs, Team Kinetix, Multi Coach and Making It Mindful who work closely who work directly with families on the ground, using their trusted relationships to offer meaningful support and activities that help children thrive.
The programme has also been enriched through collaboration with a range of organisations, offering children and families memorable experiences such as Bikeability sessions, seasonal events delivered with partners like Kinder Essex and Family Solutions, and visits from Essex Police or the High Sheriff. These partnerships have strengthened community connections and enhanced the overall offer, creating experiences families will not forget.
Alongside this, Active Essex has worked closely with its charity arm Active Essex foundation to provide targeted secondary interventions for 12–16-year-olds, including mentoring and pathways into volunteering, training and employment during the holidays. The Active Essex Foundation’s holiday provision is vital for secondary aged young people, offering safe, structured activities during times when they may be most vulnerable. This targeted support helps reduce isolation, prevents risky behaviours and creates pathways into leadership, volunteering and future employment making a meaningful difference to those who need it most.
Hear from one case study that shared the impact this makes:
Active Essex Foundation
X joined us at the start of the summer after being permanently excluded from two schools, struggling with confidence and direction. At first he was quiet and unsure, but through a supportive environment and strong mentoring, he began to open up. Boxing became a positive outlet, helping him build discipline, belief and leadership skills. By the end of the summer, his behaviour and confidence had transformed, and he has now returned to school on a part time timetable—something that once felt impossible. His mum describes the programme as life changing for their family.
Move With Us Leaders Academy
We also launched The Move With Us Leaders Academy (MWULA) which provides young people aged 12–18 with a pathway into leadership, volunteering and coaching within local clubs. The programme equips participants with the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive in their communities and future careers. In Braintree, the programme has run successfully with Camp 4 Champs, offering young participants the chance to develop as young leaders and, in some cases, progress towards future paid roles.
Lilija has become an invaluable part of the camp, transitioning from a participant to a dedicated young leader, helping younger children make the most of their camp experience. As a great role model, Lilija draws on her own experiences to understand the importance of creating unforgettable moments for the children. Through the Move with Us Leader Academy programme, Lilija has been actively involved in setting up the camp, developing new skills, and has been working towards joining the coaching team. Lilija is not officially a team member of Camp 4 Camps as a ‘support crew member’ assist coach at Camp 4 Champs.
Key Learnings
It's important to take time to reflect and understand the learnings from work undertaken, to focus on ways to improve in the future.
Funding Efficiency
UKSPF allowed us to back clubs with high booking demand and overfill where appropriate.
Data-Led Targeting
Reporting through the Active Braintree Foundation enabled allocation where need was greatest.
Rural Access
Parents reported difficulty accessing clubs in rural areas due to limited transport options.
Active Essex, Braintree District Council and other partners have strengthened the HAF delivery network and extended its impact beyond the holiday period. Partners are now more widely recognised as trusted organisations, enabling them to access wider initiatives such as Beat the Street and additional Health and Wellbeing funding. Stronger partnership working has also enhanced family engagement and youth leadership pathways, helping to build more connected, resilient communities across Braintree District.
Looking ahead, the programme will continue to align closely with the Braintree Livewell Health and Wellbeing Strategy, with a clear focus on increasing physical activity levels and supporting healthy weight outcomes. With the HAF programme extended to 2028, partners aim to sustain and grow family support, inclusive provision and youth leadership pathways to drive long term behaviour change.
“This programme means so much to families across the district, and it’s been fantastic to have Braintree District Council’s continued support behind it. Their investment has allowed us to increase spaces so even more families can benefit, while also creating new opportunities within communities for families to access support and for services to work together. It’s made a real difference.Chloe Hinds, Relationship Development Officer
