I’m pleased that Gloucestershire County Council’s Conservative administration, ably led by Cllr Mark Hawthorne, has committed extra funding to protect children from going hungry during the school holidays as a result of the Covid lockdown.
Gloucestershire families in receipt of free school meals will be able to claim vouchers for both weeks of the holidays.
This is in addition to the Department for Education Holiday Activity Support already in place for the first week of the holidays. Families will still be entitled to this support, which includes meal packs and activities, but the council will now provide two weeks additional vouchers as well.
Families who previously registered their details for holiday Free School Meals vouchers will automatically receive them this time.
Eligible families who haven’t registered can apply for the support at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/.../apply-for-free.../
Those who have registered for the Holiday Activity Fund scheme will still receive their home food kits and access to activities for the first week of the holidays, as planned.
Cllr Mark Hawthorne, leader of Gloucestershire County Council’s Conservative administration said: “At the beginning of this pandemic, we made a commitment to make sure no child in Gloucestershire will go hungry in these challenging times, and it’s a commitment we take very seriously.
“That’s why we have taken the decision to provide vouchers for both weeks of the Easter holidays, to supplement the Holiday Activity Fund offer. I’d urge all those eligible to make sure they’re signed up.”
Eligible families will need to be registered by 5pm Monday, 29th March in order for vouchers to be processed in time for the end of term. Vouchers will be sent via email.
If you cannot access information online or have any questions relating to the scheme, call 01452 426165 (during office hours, 9am-5pm) or alternatively e-mail childrensfund@gloucestershire.gov.uk