If your children are school age and receive free school meals during term times, you may be worried about food and other costs while they are on holiday. Find out what help might be available, depending on where you live in the UK here. Turn2Us grant finder helps you work out what you might be entitled to both for benefits and local grants – you could be surprised at what’s on offer in your area, so definitely give it a look.
You may also be able to get extra help for childminders during the summer holidays, check your eligibility on the Gov website.
FREE HOLIDAYS AND TRIPS
Grants for the school holidays aren’t only about feeding your children and covering the basic necessities – supporting mental wellbeing is just as important (if not more) for those living in financial crisis. Families struggling financially, or facing illness, isolation or bereavement, will have an opportunity for a weekend break. If you have a support worker, health visitor, or even teacher who can support your application, the Family Holiday Charity might be able to help.
FREE AND CHEAP FOOD GIVEAWAYS FROM OLIO
As ever, Olio is worth perusing because there are thousands of items being given away daily. You’re bound to find something you need to ease the summer hols. Get food and drink to everything in between. All perfectly good, unwanted food being given away to reduce food waste. Everything shared on OLIO is for free. Visit their website for more information and to download the app.Another great app to use is called Too Good To Go. Restaurants, supermarkets and cafes will list items at the end of the day which will otherwise be thrown out, despite being perfectly good to eat. The prices are massively reduced, and it’s a good way to do your bit to help reduce food waste too. It’s a bit of pot luck as to what you can get, but if you live in a city or town it is likely you will be able to claim items most days.
TRUSSELL TRUST
The Trussell Trust operate the largest network of foodbanks across the UK. You can search for your nearest food bank via their interactive map. You can also talk to your local authority about accessing a food bank and also receiving food vouchers or hardship emergency grants if you’re in dire straits and unable to feed your children.
INDEPENDENT FOOD AID NETWORK
IFAN are the UK network for independent food aid providers. They support and connect a range of independent frontline food aid organisations while advocating on their behalf at a national level.
They have mapped 834 independent foodbanks. Please visit their website for more information here.
FEEDING BRITAIN
Feeding Britain are running a network of emergency food programmes across the UK. This protects children and their families from hunger. Hot meals and food packages are being made available through a combination of home deliveries and collection points. This ensures families on low incomes can put breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the table each day. You can find out more via their website here.
Holiday Activities and Food Programme
Since 2018, the Government has run a scheme to support families with food and activities during school holidays. This is mostly support for low-income families and those entitled to free school meals. but some things are available for all children. The scheme is run by local authorities in England, so you will need to check your council’s website for more details. If you can’t find the information online, check with your child’s school as they may have the contact information you need.
