Additional funding available to support families over the Easter holidays
Wednesday, 27 March 2024
We've been allocated almost £1.5 million in government funding to support families in the area.
The funding is from the government's Household Support Fund, which has been extended for a further 6 months after originally being due to end in March 2024. The funding we've received, totalling £1,483,073.82, will help support families until the end of September 2024.
Over the Easter holidays, we'll be distributing supermarket vouchers to every child eligible for free school meals in Central Bedfordshire to help with food costs. We'll contact anyone who is eligible for support and more information about other groups eligible for support will be made available on our website in due course.
Councillor Hayley Whitaker, Deputy Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council and Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, said:
We are delighted that the government has extended the Household Support Fund for a further six months, as it will ensure that families in our community do not go hungry during the Easter holidays. No child should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, and this funding will help alleviate that concern for many families in Central Bedfordshire.
Find out more about the Household Support Fund.
This Easter, we'll further support families with the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme, which provides free, fun activities for children who receive benefits based free school meals and are in reception through to year 11 at school – a requirement of the Department for Education which funds the programme.
All children who attend face-to-face activities will be provided with healthy snacks and lunch. Sessions are inclusive so are suitable for children with special education needs and disabilities (SEND).