Grub’s up for summer
Three venues across Wishaw will be providing free school meals throughout the summer holidays.
NLC’s Club365 programme provides free meals and activities at weekends and holidays for P1-P7 pupils who are entitled to free school meals.
The VANL Hub in Kenilworth Avenue alongside Gowkthrapple’s Centrepoint and the Glencassells Community Development Programme, also known as The Venny in Craigneuk’s Glencairn Avenue, have been chosen to roll out the programme throughout the summer holidays.
The council’s education convener Frank McNally said: “One in five children in North Lanarkshire live in poverty and urgent steps are required to tackle this.
“We have made a clear commitment to deliver this programme in communities across North Lanarkshire by March 2019 and the announcement of venues in Bellshill and Wishaw are part of this planned expansion.
“A good diet, linked to activity, plays a vital role in healthy growth and development, supports learning and improved social skills, and sets a positive habit to be continued later in life.
“Club 365 seeks to address some of the symptoms of poverty for those children in the most need across North Lanarkshire.”
A successful trial took place over the spring break at four venues in Coatbridge and the Club365 programme is being expanded to include venues in Wishaw and Bellshill after parents and pupils reported being overwhelmingly positive about the initiative.
Pupils who took part in the trial project also enjoyed multi-sports games and fun activities.
The dates for this year’s summer break are Friday, June 29, to Tuesday, August 14, and all public holidays are included.
Children who are entitled to free school meals can come along to one of these venues between 11.30am and 2pm with lunch being served from 12.30pm.
Labour and SNP councillors praised the Club365 pilot at last month’s education committee meeting.
At the meeting, Craigneuk councillor Agnes Magowan said: “I totally welcome this 100 per cent – anything to improve all children’s life chances.”