Extra free October half-term places have opened through Bring it on Boro for Middlesbrough children whose families do not qualify for the core programme, or who previously missed out.
Middlesbrough Council announced the extension on Friday 23 October. It says money from its Crisis and Fund has widened access beyond the usual government-funded places, with activities and a healthy meal available through local youth groups, community organisations, sports clubs and businesses.
Who can apply for the extra places
The new places are for children aged five to 16 in families receiving Universal Credit, living on a low income or affected by a terminal illness. The council’s wording covers families who may not meet the standard as well as families who were unable to secure a place earlier.
That distinction matters this autumn. National guidance says the core HAF entitlement remains linked to targeted benefits-related after changes introduced in September 2026. Children in households receiving Universal Credit above the targeted income threshold are not automatically included in HAF, although councils can use other funds to families according to local need.
The Department for Education specifically identifies the Crisis and Resilience Fund as one possible way for councils to expand holiday . Places paid for from that separate are not bound by the national HAF rules, allowing Middlesbrough to offer support to a wider group.
What families can book
The Bring it on Boro booking page currently presents 58 listings and says each child can book up to three sessions during October half-term. Availability will change as families reserve places, so the live booking page is the reliable place to check what remains open.
Providers offer a mix of activities rather than one central holiday club. The council describes sessions delivered by sports clubs, youth and community groups and local businesses. The national programme expects HAF-funded provision to combine nutritious food with enriching experiences, which can include sport, arts, outdoor activity, cooking, coding and free play.
Families should read each listing carefully before booking. Times, locations, age ranges, accessibility arrangements and any provider-specific requirements can differ, while some paid activities also appear on the same booking platform for children who are not using a funded place.
Why the extension matters
Government guidance describes school holidays as a pressure point for some low-income families, with risks including , isolation and missed opportunities for physical activity or new experiences. Middlesbrough’s extra funding is intended to reduce that gap without presenting the wider places as part of the standard HAF entitlement.
The council says it has already extended Bring it on Boro into half-term breaks as well as Easter, Christmas and summer holidays. The programme also sits within its Middlesbrough Childhood Guarantee, which is intended to widen children’s access to opportunities regardless of background.
How to find a place
Bookings are being handled through the Bring it on Boro page on Eequ. Families can view the available sessions, check eligibility information and complete a booking online. Because the council has announced additional places rather than a new application deadline, early checking is sensible where a particular activity or date matters.
The 23 October announcement does not state how many extra places have been created, the value of the additional funding or how many families had previously missed out. It confirms the wider eligibility route and the live booking option, but the eventual take-up and geographic spread of places are not yet available.