Thousands of children supported

A FOOD and Fun programme designed to help families during school holidays has supported thousands of children since its launch.

The Angus Council initiative offers parents or carers who receive free school meal entitlement the chance to attend a session where they can have fun and lunch with their child, or simply collect a £10 food only voucher.

Sessions were hosted by council staff as well as local volunteers and charitable organisations.

They also offered advice on inclusion, volunteering, health, literacy and learning through play.

Welfare Rights staff attended 18 of the sessions and through their involvement helped identify claim entitlements amounting to almost £12,000.

As a result of the success of that element of the initiative, the council is trialling welfare rights dropin sessions at three primary schools between now and April.

The wider scheme has involved 3,000 food bags being distributed and provided more than £36,000 in food only vouchers.

In all, more than 12,500 children have been supported across the district.

Angus children and learning committee convener Derek Wann said: “With about 23% of families living in Angus experiencing some kind of food poverty, I’m proud Angus Council can support children’s wellbeing through our holiday programme.”

The Arbroath East and Lunan Conservative councillor added: “Council budgets are tight but we want to offer those most in need some support to help them through difficult times.”