Brighten the Day Summer 2026
- Help making bookings
- video guides
- drop in sessions with the Brighten the Day team
- help by email
- About HAF Plus
- Apply for free school meals
Brighten the Day is back for the school summer holidays with funded fun and food for eligible children and young people.
Booking opens on Tuesday 23 June and for SEND specific clubs on Tuesday 30 June.
Check your email inbox (and spam/junk folders) for your e-vouchers from [email protected].
The voucher looks like the image. In your email, click on the bottom of the voucher to redeem it and make bookings.
HAFplus is for young people if they are in year 9, 10 and 11.
Help making your bookings
We have a wide range of options to help you book your children's places on the holidayactivities.com website.
Holidayactivities.com video guides
How to book place on holidayactivites.com (opens new window)
How to book for more than one child (opens new window)
How to book and manage your activities (opens new window)
How to contact a club provider (opens new window)
Drop in sessions with the Brighten the Day team
If you want some help in person drop in and see us and we'll help you with any booking queries.
| Date | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 23 June | 9:15 to 11:30am 3 to 4.30pm | Gateshead Civic Centre (NE8 1HH) |
| Monday 29 June | 2 to 4.30pm | Metrocentre Community Hub (green quadrant opposite Next) |
| Monday 27 July | 1 to 4pm | Metrocentre Community Hub (green quadrant opposite Next) |
| Monday 3 August | 1 to 4pm | Metrocentre Community Hub (green quadrant opposite Next) |
Help by email
If you're not able to drop by in person, we're always available to help you during weekdays. Please email [email protected] with details of your query. Please include your child's name, date of birth and e-voucher number.
HAFplus
Look out for an email on Monday 1 July inviting you to download the HAFplus app. You will need your e-voucher code to register.
If you registered before you will need to re-register - accounts are not carried across holiday periods.
HAFplus is travel, food and fun for eligible young people in Years 9, 10 and 11.
Find out more about HAFplus.
Apply for free school meals
If you do not currently get benefits-related free school meals, you can apply online. The process is quick and easy.
Apply for free school meals (opens new window)
How we manage your data
For more information about how we manage your data read our privacy notices:
Gateshead Council HAF privacy notice
Department of Education HAF programme privacy notice (PDF, 145 KB)(opens new window)