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. Active Essex has worked closely with local HAF delivery partners including Camp 4 Champs, Team Kinetix, Multi Coach and Making It Mindful, supported by wrap‑around family services through Family Solutions. 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.
The programme has been further enriched through collaboration with organisations such as Healthwatch Essex, Homestart, NHS Wellness Team, Essex Police (Baloo the Police Dog), local authors and Braintree District Museum, helping to strengthen community connections and enhance the overall offer for families.
Secondary Outcomes of HAF in Braintree
As a result of the HAF programme in Braintree, Multi Coach were able to provide Bikeability sessions for children attending their club.
The Move With Us Leaders Academy programme also launched this summer, and as a result young people were trained as young leaders across the Braintree District.
Active Essex is committed to empowering the next generation of leaders, volunteers, and coaches by expanding opportunities for young people aged 12–18 to grow within the sport and physical activity sector, and beyond. The Move with Us Leaders Academy (MWULA) provides a pathway into leadership, volunteering, and coaching, equipping young people with the skills, confidence, and experience they need to thrive within their communities and future careers.
Active Essex Foundation - Secondary School Intervention (since 2022)
Since 2022, through the Active Essex Foundation ‘Sport and Youth Crime Prevention’ project, Essex ActivAte has funded specialist organisations across Greater Essex and Thurrock to offer bespoke holiday provision for young people aged 12-16. These provisions blend sport and physical activity, life skills, training and volunteering.
A 14‑year‑old girl, largely housebound for two years after a severe anaphylactic reaction, started attending Team Kinetix sessions, regained confidence, and now holds a funded membership to continue during term time.
Key Learnings
Funding Efficiency
UKSPF allowed us to back clubs with high booking demand and overfill where appropriate.
Data-Led Targting
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’s support has 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. There will also be a focus on exploring transport solutions for rural communities and strengthening links with schools to reach newly eligible BBFSM families.
Alongside this, the programme will continue to expand family‑based activity opportunities and targeted secondary interventions for 12–16-year-olds, including mentoring and pathways into volunteering, training and employment.
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.
This programme means so much to families across the district, and it’s been brilliant to have Braintree District Council’s continued support and dedication behind it. Across 2024–2026 we’ve seen a real impact, with strong increases in both summer and winter attendance. There are very few funding opportunities that allow this level of support, so the UKSPF support has been invaluable. It enabled us to back clubs with high booking demand and increase their spaces, ensuring more children and families could benefit.Chloe Hinds, Relationship Development Officer
