About Essex ActivAte

What do clubs offer?

All of our holiday clubs run Monday to Friday (unless specified) and are unique and offer different activities, but may include sports and games, outdoor adventures, inflatables, crafts, dance, baking and so much more! Clubs will also provide nutritious meals and snacks, as well as offer food education, helping to enhance young peoples skills.

Can Essex ActivAte clubs support me?

Children and young people who are eligible or receive pupil premium, benefit based free school meals or income-related benefits can be booked for free onto our holiday clubs. Although, clubs may offer discretionary paid places and paid for places, so there is something for everyone at an Essex ActivAte club!

How do I book onto a club?

Families who are eligible for pupil premium or income related free school meals, will be emailed a HolidayActivities voucher code from hello@holidayactivities by their school, to book free spaces for child/ren at our holiday clubs.

Codes are emailed or text to parents/carers around four weeks before clubs go live to book, check out our social media pages to know when they will be sent out.

Families will receive one code, per child, each main holiday to book. If you are still waiting for a voucher code, please contact your school who should be able to provide this for you.

We offer limited spaces for young people who are not eligible for benefits based free school meals, but are from ‘low-income’ working families, may be vulnerable and/or experience inactivity and social isolation without access to this free support. To book your child/ren onto a local club, you will not receive a HolidayActivities voucher code, and you will need to submit a completed referral form from a local service that supports your family or child/ren, or in some instances, you may be able to self refer. We strongly recommend that all referral partners check our website and work alongside local club providers to ensure they can support the needs of any child being referred.

Please email [email protected] for a referral form, and all referrals will be assessed on a case by case basis.

Are the half term programmes different to the main HAF holidays?

Yes! Funded by Essex County Council, Essex ActivAte half term programmes run in February, May and October. Due to smaller half terms only running for a week, delivery partners will offer club sessions for about 2-3 days on average, therefore spaces are limited and provided for those young people most in need.

As the Essex ActivAte half term programmes are funded by Essex County Council, unfortunately there will be no clubs running across Thurrock.

50% of funded spaces are allocated to children on income related free school meals, and 50% are for young people from ‘low-income’ working families, may be vulnerable and/or experience inactivity and social isolation without access to this free support.

What do clubs offer?

All of our half term clubs run Monday to Friday (unless specified) and are unique and offer different activities, but may include sports and games, outdoor adventures, inflatables, crafts, dance, baking and so much more! Clubs will also provide nutritious meals and snacks, as well as offer food education, helping to enhance young peoples skills.

Can Essex ActivAte clubs support me?

Children and young people who are eligible or receive pupil premium, benefit based free school meals or income-related benefits can be booked for free onto our holiday clubs. Although, clubs may offer discretionary paid places and paid for places, so there is something for everyone at an Essex ActivAte club!

How do I book onto a half term club?

You will not receive or book on with your HolidayActivities voucher code. You will also not need to refer young people or need a referral form to book. 

You will use the Find Your Active Activity Finder on the Active Essex website and simply click ‘Programmes’ to find the next half term, then pop in your local area and book on with the link, email or contact number provided by the club organisation directly.

Please note: Half term programmes are funded by local authorities, and are not a part of the Department for Education’s Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme.

Alongside primary clubs, Essex ActivAte works with local club providers to offer a range of specialist SEND, mental wellbeing and youth clubs. These club sessions may be shorter and offer tailored activities to ensure each child has the best holiday club experience.

SEND Clubs

During every holiday programme, we offer a number of SEND clubs, providing tailored activities, in smaller groups, run by specialist coaches. Just as we aim to provide something for everyone within our mainstream clubs, each club provides it’s own unique range of activities – from arts & crafts, sensory play, quizzes, puzzles, and role play, to animal encounters, soft play, multisports, team games, and outdoor exploration!

Mental Wellbeing Clubs

Alongside our mainstream and SEND offer, we also provide mental wellbeing clubs for children and young people who may prefer a more quiet setting, whether that be due to mental wellbeing challenges, or lack of confidence / independence. These sessions are usually shorter (approx 2hrs) and in smaller groups, providing a calm space for children to enjoy and try new and meet new people – all at their own pace.

Youth Clubs

Essex ActivAte works closely with the Active Essex Foundation to offer the Sports and Youth Crime prevention programme, providing specialist secondary youth intervention. These specialist clubs offer life skills, training and volunteering opportunities alongside physical and enrichment activities, helping to support teenagers.