Deadline: 01-Oct-2026
The School Holiday Activity Fund provides grants of up to £5,000 to support organisations delivering inclusive, structured, and engaging holiday programmes for children and young people. The funding is designed to help provide safe and accessible activities during school holidays, including Easter, summer, half-term, and Christmas breaks.
Eligible organisations include registered charities, special schools, and alternative provision settings within the Beneficial Area. Mainstream schools and their associated PTAs or school charities are not eligible. Funding can be used across multiple holiday periods within a 12-month timeframe to cover programme running costs.
What Is the School Holiday Activity Fund?
The School Holiday Activity Fund is a grant programme designed to support organisations that deliver structured and inclusive holiday activities for children and young people.
The fund aims to ensure that children have access to:
- Safe and supportive environments during school holidays
- Engaging and meaningful activities
- Structured programmes that promote wellbeing and development
- Inclusive experiences regardless of background or ability
The programme recognises that school holidays can create gaps in access to learning, social interaction, and support services. This fund helps bridge that gap through organised holiday provision.
Purpose of the Fund
The School Holiday Activity Fund focuses on improving the quality, accessibility, and inclusivity of holiday provision for children and young people.
Key objectives include:
- Providing fun and engaging holiday activities
- Supporting children during key holiday periods
- Encouraging structured and safe environments
- Promoting inclusion and accessibility
- Supporting wellbeing and social development
- Enabling consistent holiday provision across the year
The fund is designed to strengthen holiday support systems that benefit children and young people across the Beneficial Area.
What Activities Can Be Funded?
The fund supports a wide range of holiday-based programmes and related costs.
Holiday Activity Programmes
Eligible activities include:
- Structured holiday clubs
- Sports and recreation programmes
- Creative and arts-based activities
- Educational enrichment sessions
- Youth engagement programmes
- Play and leisure activities
Holiday Period Coverage
Funding can be used across multiple holiday periods, including:
- Half-term breaks
- Easter holidays
- Summer holidays
- Christmas holidays
Inclusive and Supportive Provision
Programmes should aim to be inclusive and accessible, supporting:
- Children with additional needs
- Young people facing disadvantage
- Participants requiring structured support environments
- Mixed-ability and diverse groups
Running Costs
The fund can cover essential operational costs related to delivering holiday programmes, such as:
- Staffing and delivery costs
- Activity materials and resources
- Venue hire for holiday activities
- Programme administration costs
- Operational expenses directly linked to delivery
Funding Available
Grant Amount
Organisations can apply for:
- Up to £5,000 per grant
Funding Period
Funding can be used flexibly:
- Across multiple school holiday periods
- Within a 12-month delivery timeframe
This allows organisations to plan sustained holiday provision rather than one-off activities.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible Organisations
Applications are open to:
- Registered charities
- Special schools
- Alternative provision settings
- Organisations delivering youth-focused holiday programmes within the Beneficial Area
Conditional Eligibility
Some organisations may be eligible under specific conditions:
- Charities delivering activities within mainstream school settings may be considered
- Organisations already funded by John Lyon’s Charity may apply if costs are not duplicated
Who Cannot Apply?
The following are not eligible:
- Mainstream schools
- Parent-teacher associations (PTAs)
- School charities linked to mainstream schools
These exclusions ensure the fund prioritises community and specialist providers of holiday activity programmes.
Geographic Eligibility
Applicants must be based within the Beneficial Area.
Only organisations operating within this defined region are eligible for funding.
What the Fund Will Not Support
Funding cannot be used for:
- Duplicate costs already covered by another grant
- Activities outside the holiday programme scope
- General non-programme operational costs
- Costs unrelated to holiday delivery
- Projects outside the Beneficial Area
Applicants must ensure funding is not used to replace or overlap with existing financial support.
Why This Fund Matters
School holidays can present challenges for children and families, including:
- Reduced access to structured activities
- Increased risk of isolation
- Limited support for working families
- Reduced opportunities for enrichment
The School Holiday Activity Fund addresses these challenges by supporting organisations that provide:
- Safe and structured environments
- Positive social interaction
- Inclusive activities for all abilities
- Enrichment and learning opportunities outside school terms
By investing in holiday provision, the fund helps ensure children and young people remain engaged, supported, and active throughout the year.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility
Ensure your organisation:
- Is a registered charity, special school, or alternative provision setting
- Operates within the Beneficial Area
- Is not a mainstream school or PTA
Step 2: Define Your Holiday Programme
Outline:
- Activities planned
- Holiday periods covered
- Target age group
- Inclusion approach
Step 3: Plan Delivery Across the Year
Identify how the £5,000 funding will be used across:
- Multiple holiday periods
- Structured programme delivery
Step 4: Prepare Budget
Include:
- Staffing costs
- Materials and resources
- Venue hire
- Operational delivery costs
Step 5: Ensure No Funding Duplication
Confirm that costs are not already covered by:
- John Lyon’s Charity funding
- Other grants or funding sources
Step 6: Submit Application
Complete the application process with all required documentation and details.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
Applying as an Ineligible Organisation
Mainstream schools and PTAs are not eligible.
Double Funding Costs
Do not apply for costs already funded through other grants.
Weak Programme Structure
Applications should clearly show structured, planned holiday delivery.
Lack of Inclusion Planning
Strong applications demonstrate how activities are inclusive and accessible.
Unclear Use of Funds
Budgets should clearly explain how funding supports holiday delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much funding is available?
Organisations can apply for up to £5,000.
What can the funding be used for?
Funding supports running costs for structured holiday activity programmes for children and young people.
Who can apply?
Registered charities, special schools, and alternative provision settings within the Beneficial Area.
Can mainstream schools apply?
No. Mainstream schools and their PTAs are not eligible.
Can funding be used across multiple holidays?
Yes. Funding can support activities across multiple school holiday periods within 12 months.
Can organisations already funded by John Lyon’s Charity apply?
Yes, but only for costs not already covered by existing funding.
What types of activities are supported?
Holiday clubs, sports, arts, enrichment programmes, and inclusive youth activities are all eligible.
Key Takeaways
- Grants of up to £5,000 support holiday programmes for children and young people.
- Funding covers multiple school holidays within a 12-month period.
- Eligible organisations include charities, special schools, and alternative provision settings.
- Mainstream schools and PTAs are not eligible.
- Funding supports inclusive, structured, and safe holiday activities.
- Costs must not duplicate other funding sources.
- Strong applications demonstrate clear structure, inclusion, and delivery planning.
Conclusion
The School Holiday Activity Fund plays an important role in ensuring children and young people have access to safe, engaging, and inclusive activities during school holidays. By providing up to £5,000 in flexible funding, the programme enables organisations to deliver structured holiday provision that supports wellbeing, learning, and social development across multiple school holiday periods throughout the year.
For more information, visit John Lyon’s Charity.
