Christmas holiday free school meal scheme success as over 20,000 Hertfordshire children receive food vouchers

The scheme is funded from the Government’s COVID-19 Winter Grant Scheme
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Hertfordshire County Council's support for Hertfordshire families entitled to free school meals during the Christmas holidays was a great success with supermarket vouchers downloaded for over 20,000 children and young people.

The scheme, which is funded from the Government’s COVID-19 Winter Grant Scheme (WSG), provided eligible families with a £30 digital supermarket voucher per entitled child to cover the two week Christmas holiday period.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In addition to this support, the council also encouraged families and individuals who were struggling to pay for food and other essential household bills to contact HertsHelp, where they could access further help over the festive period and advice to provide ongoing support.

Terry Douris, executive member for education, Libraries and LocalismTerry Douris, executive member for education, Libraries and Localism
Terry Douris, executive member for education, Libraries and Localism

While 85 per cent of families have downloaded their vouchers, a smaller number have yet to validate theirs, the council would like to make sure as many children and young people as possible have access to this additional funding for food.

The last day to download vouchers is 11 February, after this point the Christmas holiday scheme will close.

You will not need to spend the vouchers by then, most supermarket providers allow at least 12 months before expiry, so please do make sure you download yours as soon as possible.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

More information about how to download vouchers and contact us for more support is listed on the council's website. You can also contact your school or college directly and they will help you to download or print your vouchers.

Terry Douris, executive member for Education, Libraries and Localism, said: “We’re delighted that so many families engaged with the scheme and made use of the supermarket vouchers over the festive season, we hope it took some pressure off parents and carers at this difficult time.

“We still want to ensure that every child who was entitled to a free school meal over the Christmas holidays can access that support, and so I’d encourage those remaining families who have yet to download their vouchers, to please do so before the deadline.

"There is help on hand if you’re not familiar with the online process or need the information in an alternative format.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Plans are now underway to roll out the voucher scheme, or similar, again during February half-term, entitled families will be contacted about this directly by their schools and colleges in the coming weeks.

Hertfordshire County Council is also developing a Holiday Activity and Food Programme for children in partnership with Herts Sports Partnership and Hertfordshire Community Foundation which will ensure children across the county have access to enriching activities and healthy food across the Easter, Summer and Winter holidays.

The council has seen a consistent increase in applications for free schools meals since the end of last year, support is available for families who need it, you can find out if you are entitled and make an application here.

Whether you are a family or living alone, if you are worried about putting food on the table or paying the bills right now, HertsHelp may be able to provide advice and practical support.

Call 0300 123 4044, email [email protected] or visit www.hertshelp.net.