Colleges in Cornwall offer free meals for eligible students over the Christmas holidays
Bosses say is it their 'moral duty' to support learners
Last updated 10th Dec 2020
Colleges across Cornwall have committed to providing free meals to eligible students over the Christmas holidays.
Both Cornwall College and Truro and Penwith say they will be supporting their learners over the festive break.
The Cornwall College Group says it is their 'moral duty' and it has been inspired by footballer Marcus Rashford's campaign and so have decided to run the scheme themselves.
“We were certainly inspired by Premier League footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to get the Government to provide free school meals during the summer, and we led the way nationally in announcing our decision to ensure the same applied for 16 to 18 year old learners.
“Serving the communities we do, we know how essential free school meals are, so we have decided to run the scheme ourselves. With the impact coronavirus has had, the pressure on many households has never been greater. We have supported key workers and NHS staff with our 3D designed PPE, our staff have volunteered, but feeding our most vulnerable learners throughout the winter is a vital way we can serve the communities in which we operate.”
Principal and Chief Executive of the Group, John Evans
Food poverty is a day-to-day reality for more and more people in the UK, with one in four parents skipping meals in order to make ends meet, and the problems are often worse during the school holidays.
“Our mission is to provide exceptional education and training for every learner to improve their career prospects,” John said.
“In order to do this, our learners need to have the energy to learn and not have the anxiety of where their next meal is coming from hanging over them.
“I hope the families of our learners will find some relief in the fact their children who attend our colleges at Duchy Colleges in Rosewarne and Stoke Climsland, Falmouth Marine School, Bicton College and our Cornwall College campuses in Camborne, St Austell and Newquay will have guaranteed meals over Christmas.”
At Truro and Penwith College, bosses say there will be guaranteed hot meals in a move to recognise the difficult times many families are facing.
“Following the recent Government announcement regarding how families can spend Christmas together this year, the College recognises the need for all staff, students and their families to have as normal a Christmas as possible following one of the most challenging years we have all had to endure.
“Therefore, from Monday 14th December until Friday 18th December the College is moving to on-line delivery across all of our courses and subjects with the exception of our high needs students in Foundation Studies and our Part-Time Adult Education Courses. The previous success of the College’s on-line delivery of the timetable will be used to ensure that all students continue to receive high quality teaching throughout this week.
“I am also delighted to confirm that Governors here have pledged Truro and Penwith College’s financial support, with support from Cornwall Council, for the continuation of our free school meals package for those eligible learners across Cornwall.
“This move recognises the difficult times that many will find themselves in this year and means that for those families and young people there will be a guarantee of hot meals over the Christmas break.
“Truro and Penwith College has a strong tradition of supporting Cornwall’s community throughout the year but particularly this Christmas, after such a tumultuous year, my colleagues and I are particularly proud that we are able to offer this support to our students and their families.”
Truro and Penwith College Principal, Martin Tucker