---
title: "Activate Essex Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) 2026-2028"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05ed1e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ed1e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ed1e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ed1e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL"
published: "2026-04-10"
---

# Activate Essex Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) 2026-2028

Buyer: ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05ed1e

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## Summary

Essex County Council, with an address at County Hall, Market Road, Chelmsford, is spearheading the Activate Essex Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme for 2026-2028. This initiative is a collaborative effort between Essex County Council, Active Essex, and Thurrock Council to deliver holiday activities and food programmes across Essex and Thurrock, primarily targeting young people and families eligible for benefits-based free school meals. The procurement process followed an open procedure, tagged as 'lightTouch', with Essex County Council in the role of the buying organisation. The tender process was completed, with significant activities having transpired from December 2025 to January 2026, ahead of the programme starting in May 2026. 

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses in the services sector, particularly those offering holiday centre and holiday home services. With an overarching budget of £15,000,000, the programme is set to provide numerous grant-funded projects across the county, offering scopes for small to medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as larger organizations. Companies engaged in educational, leisure, or nutritional services are well-suited to apply, with a chance to contribute to community well-being while expanding their operational footprint. The grant funding nature of this tender means that a wide array of service providers can benefit, providing diverse business growth opportunities through multi-supplier awards.

## Notice

The Department for Education has provided Essex County Council with funding in order to deliver the holiday activity and food programme (HAF) across Essex during the Easter, Summer and Winter school holidays. Active Essex will be managing the programme on behalf of Essex County Council. Active Essex and Essex County Council will also be managing the HAF programme on behalf of Thurrock Council. Across Essex and Thurrock the programme is called Essex ActvAte Essex ActivAte will engage and support young people and families who are eligible for benefits based free school meals and families most in need. The programme will provide free and inclusive holiday clubs across the county that will include a range of fun physical and enrichment activities, a free nutritious meal, nutritional education and mentoring and support for the young person and whole family. The programme aims to improve health generally, including, crucially, mental health and aim to provide the families with the knowledge and support to live healthier, happier lives. Bidders will be awarded funding from the overall grant fund to deliver their projects.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032922-2026 |
| Notice type | UK7 - Contract Details Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | Large, SME |
| All stages | Tender, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 6 Jan 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 23 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 31 Mar 2026 - 31 Jan 2029 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £15,000,000 |
| Lots value | £15,000,000 |
| Awards value | £15,000,000 |
| Contracts value | £15,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL |
| Locality | CHELMSFORD |
| Post town | Chelmsford |
| Postcode | CM1 1QH |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLH East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLH3 Essex |
| ITL 3 | TLH36 Heart of Essex |
| Local authority | Chelmsford |
| Electoral ward | Moulsham and Central |
| Westminster constituency | Chelmsford |
| Delivery location | TLH3 Essex |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 105 |
| Supplier names | 3FOOD4U; A Q BASKETBALL; ACE MUSIC THERAPY; ACTIVE CHRISTIAN TRUST (THE MEGACENTRE; ACTIVE ESSEX FOUNDATION; ARTS OUTBURST; ATF SOUTHEND; BRAINTREE DISTRICT MUSEUM TRUST; BURNHAM RAMBLERS FOOTBALL CLUB; BUTTERFLIES CLUB; BWILD ADVENTURES; C KNIGHT DANCE DEVELOPMENT; CAMP 4 CHAMPS; CAST A THOUGHT; CHAFFORD TOTS TO TEENS CHILDCARE SERVICES; CHANGING LIVES COMMUNITY SERVICES; CHELMSFORD CITY FOOTBALL CLUB FOUNDATION; CHELMSFORD SPORT & ATHLETICS CENTRE; CHILD & PROVIDE COMMUNITY; CMXSC; COLCHESTER MERCURY THEATRE; COLCHESTER UNITED COMMUNITY FOUNDATION; CRAFTY KATIE; DISABILITY 4 SPORT; EAST ANGLIA COACHING; ESSEX BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS; ESSEX ELITE SPORTS ACADEMY; ESSEX KIDS CAMP; ESSEX MUSIC SERVICE; ESSEX PROFESSIONAL COACHING; FRY SPORTS HOLDINGS; FUTURES CHANGING; FUTURES ESSEX; GET WITH THE KIDS VIBE; GJLWSPORTS; GO BANANAS COLCHESTER; GOLF IN THE COMMUNITY; HAPPY HEALTHY MINDS; HCL ACTIVITY CAMPS; HOLISTIC EDUCATION & SPORT SUPPORT SERVICES; INDEPENDENCE PROJECT; INTERACT CHELMSFORD; JACK OF ALL SPORTS; JTD ARTS; KIDBUSTERZ; KIDZACTIVE; KINETIX ACADEMY; KWH FFF COACHING; LEAP AND LEARN SPORTS; LEGENDS LEARNING CENTRE; LET'S GET OUT; M.R.F.A; MAKING IT MINDFUL; MALDON & DISTRICT COMMUNITY VOLUNTARY SERVICE; MALDON GYMNASTICS CLUB; MALEARN; MEGA CAMPS; MINIME MINDFULNESS; MISTLEY KIDS CLUB; MULTICOACH; MUSHROOM THEATRE; NEXT THING EDUCATION CAMPS; NURTURE DEN; OFJ SPRING TOPCO; OLIVERS LODGE; PARAGON TRAINING FACILITY; PARENTS DREAM; PLAYPALZ PARTY AND SOFTPLAY CENTRE; POP ESSEX; PRECISIONMULTISPORTS; PREMIER SCHOOL; PREMIER SPORTSCOACH SOLUTIONS; PRESTIGE SPORTS DEVELOPMENT; PROSPORTS HOLDINGS; RAINBOW CHILDREN'S CORNER; RISE SPORTS; ROBWHEN COACHING; ROSEDAN LOMO; SCHOOL'S OUT ACTIVITIES; SCWE; SILVERBIRCH ANIMAL THERAPY S.A.T; SIMMPLY ACTIVE GROUP; SKILLS LINK PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT; SOUTH EAST ESSEX ACADEMY TRUST; SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS LEISURE CENTRE; SOUTHEND UNITED COMMUNITY FOUNDATION; SPORTS COACHING SPECIALISTS; SSS EDUCATION GROUP; STING PERFORMING ARTS; STRIKE ACADEMY; THE ACTIVE WELLBEING SOCIETY; THE ARK FAMILY RESOURCE CENTRE; THE FUTURE OF SPORT; THE HOLIDAY CLUB; THE LIGHTHOUSE SPORTS AND SOCIAL HUB ESSEX; THE PE SPECIALISTS; THE SLM COMMUNITY LEISURE CHARITABLE TRUST; THURROCK COUNCIL; TIME FOR CHANGE AM; TINY SPORTS SCHOOL; WEALDEN LEISURE; WELLBEING 4 LIFE; WHIPPER-SNAPPERS DAYCARE NURSERY AND KIDS CLUB; XTRA TIME SPORTS DEVELOPMENT; YMCA ESSEX |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 55 - Hotel, restaurant and retail trade services

### Codes

- 55240000 - Holiday centre and holiday home services

## Release History

- 10 Apr 2026 at 14:35 - Award - UK7 - Contract Details Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032922-2026
- 30 Mar 2026 at 15:40 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029311-2026
- 2 Dec 2025 at 14:55 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078994-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/032922-2026
  10th April 2026 - Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029311-2026
  30th March 2026 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/078994-2025
  2nd December 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://Www.artsoutburst.co.uk
- http://Www.parentsdreamcolchester@gmail.com
- http://Www.thefootballfunfactory.co.uk
- http://activeessexfoundation.org
- http://camp4champs.co.uk
- http://epcoaching.co.uk
- http://motivated-minds.co.uk
- http://silverbirchanimaltherapycic.co.uk/
- http://sportscoachingspecialists.uk
- http://www.3food4u.org
- http://www.Skillslinkpersnaldevelopment.co.uk
- http://www.altmovement.co.uk
- http://www.amazingactivitiesgroup.co.uk
- http://www.aqbasketball.com
- http://www.atfcommunity.com
- http://www.braintreemuseum.co.uk
- http://www.burnhamramblersfc.co.uk
- http://www.butterfliesclubs.co.uk
- http://www.bwildadventures.co.uk
- http://www.castathought.co.uk
- http://www.ccfcfoundation.org.uk
- http://www.chafford-childcare.co.uk
- http://www.changefutures.co.uk
- http://www.childprovideactive.co.uk
- http://www.cmxsc.co.uk
- http://www.deanessportscentre.com
- http://www.disability4sport.co.uk
- http://www.essexgamingbus.co.uk
- http://www.essexkidscamp.co.uk
- http://www.essexmusicservice.org.uk
- http://www.essexsoftplaybus.co.uk
- http://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk
- http://www.futures-essex.co.uk
- http://www.getwiththekidsvibe.co.uk
- http://www.gjwsports.co.uk/
- http://www.go-bananas.co.uk
- http://www.headwaysports.co.uk
- http://www.hescic.co.uk
- http://www.hollowaycoaching.co.uk
- http://www.kidbusterz.co.uk
- http://www.legendslearningcentre.co.uk
- http://www.letsgetout.co.uk
- http://www.lsccoaching.com
- http://www.maldoncvs.org.uk
- http://www.maldongymnastics.co.uk
- http://www.malearn.co.uk
- http://www.megacamps.net
- http://www.minimemindfulness.co.uk
- http://www.mistleykidsclub.co.uk
- http://www.olivers-lodge.co.uk
- http://www.playpalz.co.uk
- http://www.pop-essex.org
- http://www.premier-education.com
- http://www.prestigesportsdevelopment.com
- http://www.prosports-holdings.co.uk
- http://www.ptfmma.com
- http://www.rainbowchildrenscorner.co.uk
- http://www.risesportsltd.com
- http://www.rosedanchildcare.co.uk
- http://www.schoolsoutactivities.co.uk
- http://www.simmplyactive.com
- http://www.stingperformingarts.com
- http://www.strikeacademy.co.uk
- http://www.superstarsport.co.uk
- http://www.theaws.co.uk
- http://www.thefutureofsport.co.uk
- http://www.thelighthouseharwich.co.uk
- http://www.thurrock.gov.uk
- http://www.timeforchangekids.com
- http://www.whipper-snappers.co.uk
- http://www.xtratimesport.co.uk
- https://acemusictherapy.co.uk
- https://computerxplorers.co.uk/colchester/
- https://eagymnastics.co.uk/
- https://independenceproject.co.uk
- https://makingitmindful.co.uk/
- https://mushroomtheatre.co.uk/
- https://nurtureden.co.uk
- https://oxygenactiveplay.co.uk/
- https://precisionmultisports.com
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?tabName=opportunities&resetFilter=True
- https://procontract.due-north.com/Opportunities/Index?tabName=opportunities&resetFilter=TrueProjectinformation-DN799110
- https://sportscool.org/westessex/
- https://sufccommunity.co.uk/
- https://teamkinetix.co.uk/the-academy/
- https://thearkcentre.wordpress.com/
- https://www.changinglivescommunityservices.com/
- https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-centres/where/chelmsford-sport-and-athletics-centre/
- https://www.chelmsford.gov.uk/leisure-centres/where/south-woodham-ferrers-leisure-centre/
- https://www.cu-fc.com/CUCF
- https://www.essexboysandgirlsclubs.org
- https://www.happyhealthyminds.co.uk/
- https://www.interact.org.uk/
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.megacentrerayleigh.co.uk/
- https://www.mercurytheatre.co.uk/
- https://www.mrfa.co.uk/
- https://www.multicoachuk.co.uk
- https://www.nextthing.education
- https://www.slmcharitabletrust.com
- https://www.superstarsport.co.uk/
- https://www.ymcaessex.org.uk/
- https://yoursportlondon.co.uk

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05ed1e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05ed1e.json.