Essex school meal vouchers return for the Christmas Holidays
Vouchers will be available for around 50,000 eligible pupils across Essex
Free school meal vouchers will be available for around 50,000 eligible pupils across Essex this Christmas Holiday.
The scheme has been renewed thanks to funding from the Department for Work and Pensions and will run from the 21st of December to the 4th of January.
£1.5m has been allocated by the County Council from the Household Support Fund grant that aims to support those in most need this winter with the cost of food, energy, water bills and other essentials.
Vouchers are worth £15 a week per child and will be sent to parents of eligible children and young people ahead of the Christmas holidays.
The vouchers can be used to buy food in most supermarkets.
In addition, this December through the ActivAte Programme, there will be 223 clubs, trips and family Christmas experiences available, offering fun physical activity, food education and healthy meals with 48 of the clubs offering special support for SEND pupils or mental wellbeing support.
These clubs are open to young people eligible for free school meals, as well as children from working families who may be struggling financially and require extra childcare support.
You can find out what ActiVate clubs and christmas experiences are happening in your area here.