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County Council statement on half term support for free school meals families
27/10/2020
County and District Councils working together with voluntary sector to help families
Oxfordshire County Council has issued a statement to highlight the support available during the half term break for families of children in receipt of free school meals. They say they are working closely with the District Councils and the voluntary sector “to help families through half-term and beyond”.
The County Council says it has already passed a grant of more than £500,000 – received from central government on 31 July – to the district councils, Good Food Oxford and South Oxfordshire Food and Education Alliance.
The statement says, “All six Oxfordshire councils have been working together very closely with community and voluntary partners to help families across the county access food and essential supplies.
“Support mechanisms are in place to help vulnerable families, and these have been targeted at those who need it most. Oxfordshire’s councils have a strong track record of delivery through third-sector partners and these links shone through during the lockdown period earlier this year.”
Across the county services for children are open as normal during half term to respond to families needing assistance. In addition there are local schemes aimed at children and families during the half term period.
In our area Cherwell District Council is running Activator sessions in Grimsbury and Neithrop followed by warm healthy snacks. Family cooking bags will also be given out to families with ingredients and recipe cards to encourage healthy cooking at home.
County Councillor Lorraine Lindsay-Gale, Cabinet Member for Education and Cultural Services, said: “There is a wide array of existing support available to families and children during half term throughout Oxfordshire.
“We have well established networks with the voluntary sector. As is the case on a 24 hour and 365 days a year basis, our children’s early help and social care teams at the county council can also provide support for families in crisis.
“We keep all support for food provision to families under review, however there is already a comprehensive network of support for this half term period.”
The County Council has highlighted these useful websites:
- Oxfordshire All In – The Oxfordshire All In website was created at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and has a list of community support groups many of whom will continue to offer food parcels, community fridges and foodbanks into the winter.
Banbury FM has a list of local places offering free meals in place for free school meals during Half Term
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam