With October half term on the horizon, Calderdale Council is working with providers to support another Healthy Holidays activity programme, after a record-breaking summer.
Local families can now book on to activities for October half term, as part of Healthy Holidays Calderdale – a partnership between Calderdale Council, the Community Foundation for Calderdale (CFFC) and local organisations. The programme has been providing free activities and nutritious meals to children and young people in the school holidays since 2021.
The October activities follow the programme’s busiest summer, successfully reaching more families, with over 8000 attendees at sessions hosted by a range of providers across the borough.
Activities included kayaking, performing arts, cooking workshops, swimming and much more, with additional specialist provision for children with specialist education needs or disabilities (SEND). This growing provision allowed 1292 children with SEND to attend sessions, almost 700 more than in summer 2024.
Primary and secondary school-aged children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals can access the free holiday club places, and based on 2025 Census data, 72% of eligible families attended a Healthy Holidays session in summer 2025 – a 30% increase on 2024.
The October programme runs from 27-31 October. To view the programme and to book a place, visit healthyholidays.calderdale.gov.uk(external link)
The spring, summer and winter programmes are funded by the Government’s Holiday Activities and Food Programme. To expand on this, a partnership between the Council and the CFFC funds further programmes during school half-terms.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Service and Communities, Cllr Danielle Durrans, said:
“Our Healthy Holidays programme goes from strength to strength, and I’m delighted that the summer sessions were attended by so many people, making a real difference for local families.
“The success of the programme is in no small part, thanks to our brilliant providers and amazing volunteers. An awful lot of hard work goes in to ensuring that we can offer a varied programme and accessible sessions. This commitment has meant that there are sessions to suit most young people, and we’ve seen attendance really grow as more people see, and share, what the programme offers.
“As we head into winter, we know that families can face even more of a struggle to make ends meet. Our October half term programme is available to book now and we’re busy preparing for the Christmas break, including our popular Victoria Theatre pantomime trips.”
Steve Duncan, Chief Executive of the Community Foundation for Calderdale, added:
“The last five years have shown just how valuable this programme is and the positive impact it is making to families. We are pleased to know that we have three more years of funding to be able to deliver such an important part of children’s school holidays.”
For more information about the Healthy Holidays programme, visit https://new.calderdale.gov.uk/communities/healthy-holidays-calderdale(external link)
For further help and practical support with the cost of living, visit www.calderdale.gov.uk/mwic(external link)
ENDS