Leeds Community Groups Receive Funding for Healthy Holidays 2026

Support for children and families during school holidays

Leeds Community Foundation has allocated over £815,000 to local organisations to run Healthy Holidays projects during the summer, Christmas, and Easter school holidays in 2026-2027. These projects aim to provide children with access to nutritious food and a variety of activities during school breaks, particularly supporting families who may face financial challenges.

Activities and objectives

The Healthy Holidays initiative offers children opportunities to engage in physical activities such as football and dance, as well as creative and life skills sessions. The programme is designed to encourage children to try new experiences and foster social connections.

Funding and reach

In 2026, 31 community organisations across Leeds were awarded grants to deliver 38 Healthy Holidays projects. This marks the ninth year of the programme, which has invested more than £7 million since its inception to assist children and families in the area during times when household budgets are particularly stretched.

Partnership and programme delivery

The Healthy Holidays programme is delivered in partnership with Leeds City Council and forms part of the Department for Education’s Holiday Activities and Food programme.

Organisations awarded funding

• BARCA Leeds
• BEAT – Belonging Empowering & Thriving
• CATCH Leeds
• CFYDC (CHANCE)
• Champions Community Sport and Health CIC
• Complete Woman CIC
• Connecting Crossgates
• Cross Green Growing Together
• Dance Action Zone Leeds
• The Old Fire Station
• GIPSIL
• Give A Gift
• Grassroots Enterprise for Social Inclusion and Poverty Relief
• Guiseley Community Foundation
• Hamara Healthy Living Centre
• Health For All
• Holbeck Together
• Hunslet Club
• Hunslet Rugby Foundation
• Hyde Park Source
• Jason Robinson Foundation
• Leeds Mencap
• Leeds United Foundation
• LS-TEN
• New Wortley Community Association
• Phoenix Dance Theatre
• Reestablish
• Shantona Women and Family Centre
• Stitch-Up CIC
• The Hangout Youth Group CIC
• The Zone

The Foundation has indicated that it will share further information regarding the impact of the Healthy Holidays programme on children and families in Leeds throughout 2026-2027.

Source: Leeds Community Foundation