Free School Meals - A message from Gloucestershire County Council
Dear Parent/carer,
We would like to make you aware of some of the schemes that Gloucestershire County Council is currently offering to families of Gloucestershire.
The Holiday Free School Meal Voucher Scheme
Once again, the Holiday FSM voucher scheme will be returning for the summer holidays. Like last year, the scheme will be covering 2 of the 6 weeks of the holidays. Parents will receive £30 per child (£15 per week, per child) from reception to Year 11, that receives benefits related free school meals.
Key dates:
Applications will open on the 28 June and close at midday on the 12 July.
Vouchers will be released between the 13 and 14July.
For more information, visit our website at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/holiday-school-meal-vouchers/
If you have any queries, please get in touch at childrensfund@gloucestershire.gov.uk
The Holiday Activity and Food Programme (HAF and HAP)
The HAF programme will be returning from 1 to 27 August covering 4 weeks of the summer holidays to provide families with enriching activities and nutritious food for families who receive benefits -related free school meals.
Our extended Holiday Activities Programme (HAP) offer will also be returning so that all families in Gloucestershire will have the chance to participate in the holiday fun.
To stay up to date on news, families can subscribe to our HAF newsletter by clicking the link below:
For more information, visit our website at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/haf
Holiday Food Boxes
Holiday Food boxes will be available across Gloucestershire for the month of August. More information on when these will be available to book will be released from 20 June.
Eligibility for the Holiday Food Boxes requires your children to receive benefits-related free school meals.
Household Support Fund
On 30 September 2021, the Government announced that a new Household Support Fund (HSF) would be available to Local Authorities to support those most in need during the winter, which has now been extended until 30 September 2022. The Government has provided funding to Gloucestershire County Council to support people who are struggling to:
- buy food
- pay energy and water bills
- cover other essential costs linked to energy and water and wider essentials (including sanitary products, warm clothing, soap, blankets, boiler service or repair, purchase of equipment including fridges, freezers, and ovens)
The application form for the Housing Support Fund can be found on the Gloucestershire County Council website here: https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/gloucestershire-welfare-support-scheme/local-support-grant-find-out-more-and-apply/
The Household Support Fund is available until 30 September 2022.
Kind regards,
Liza McCarthy