Big Norfolk Holiday Fun: Summer Holidays 2025

Spread the word to the families and children you work with, letting them know they can visit our Every Move activity finder to explore fun, free local activities.

With the school holidays approaching, please see below some further information which will help you support the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme to eligible children and their families.

The Programme

The Big Norfolk Holiday Fun (BNHF) programme provides holiday activities for children and young people aged 4-16 in Norfolk. Children eligible for benefits-related free school meals can claim 16 free spaces on the summer programme, while paid spots are available on many activities for those who don't. 

With the school holidays approaching, see further information below which will help you support the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun programme. 

BNHF Bank Staff

The BNHF team is looking for experienced people who work with children and young people to join them to support our activity providers as and when needed. They are especially keen to hear from anyone who can assist children with an EHCP or additional needs who need one-to-one support. If you are interested, and have time this summer complete this form and they will be in touch. 

Referrals

They have a small amount of funding available for children and young people who are not in receipt of benefits-related free school meals, but who would really get a lot from taking part in the programme for free. These BNHF Awarded Places are limited and subject to referral criteria: check the criteria on the Active Norfolk website. To ensure referrals for these places are coming from professionals, not parents, please use the form, on the same web page, to refer a child.

Please remember the following: 

• Always check with the family that the child isn't already in receipt of benefits-related free school meals.*
• Please be aware, just because one child in a family is eligible, not all their children may be.
• Universal free school meals for reception to Year 2 (approx. 7 years old) is different from benefits-related free school meals.*
• Please try to apply as soon as possible, ideally before the end of the school term before delivery starts.

* Families can check their eligibility on the "Free school meals: Is my child eligible" web page..

Personal Assistant (PA) Scheme

The NCC Short Breaks Team and Active Norfolk have worked hard to develop a new PA payment scheme to enable more children to take part. Any child who is on benefits-related free school meals and has a personal assistant, can have their PA accompany them.

Families must apply and have the offer confirmed before they book. You can download information on this scheme here.

Help promote the programme

Don't forget there is a range of free promotional marketing tools to help you get the message out to all children eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Download the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun promoter pack here.

Materials include digital flyers to go home in bookbags, social media assets and copy to go into your school newsletters and websites.

Here's what you can do to help:

• Send the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun flyers home with children who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. You can find these in the provider pack. 
• Make your pastoral team aware so they can work with families you know who may struggle to make the booking themselves. 
• Promote the scheme in your weekly school newsletter using the copy provided.
• Promote the scheme on your Facebook page using the social media images provided (or share Norfolk County Council's Facebook posts).
• Remind families that Universal Free School Meals is not the same as benefits-related Free School Meals. See the  "Free school meals: Is my child eligible" link in the Referrals section above.

If you have any questions on the programme etc, please email the team on bnhf@norfolk.gov.uk or visit their FAQ page.

Competition - share with parents and carers

Big Norfolk Holiday Fun is giving families the chance to win a Family Pass to Banham Zoo and some fantastic runner-up prizes to help get you up and out the house!
 
To enter:*

1. Complete the quick questionnaire: Big Norfolk Holiday Fun: Competition Time!
2. Answer the questions correctly (hint: all answers can be found on the Big Norfolk Holiday Fun landing page)

*Ts&Cs apply. The Family Pass includes 2x Adults and 2x Children tickets. This competition closes 26 August 2025.