Council steps in to support families during the winter school holidays

Thousands of children will be provided with support to avoid holiday hunger during the winter school holidays and to have access to free activities.

Child in Newcastle enjoying school holiday activities over the summer

Newcastle City Council is to provide support to nearly 17,000 children in the city through the distribution of vouchers during October half-term drawn from the Household Support Fund. This continues the support provided to families which began during the pandemic and continues as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.

There will also be a programme of council funded community projects all over the city during October half-term where all children can access fun and exciting activities which will include a nutritious meal.

Newcastle City Council have stepped in to provide this additional support at what is a very difficult time for the city’s families and is the latest example of council’s commitment to the Evry plan. This plan unites more than 20 partners from health, education, business, cultural and charitable sectors to formulate an ambitious city-wide collective mission to support young people to have the best possible future.

The plan recently launched a free travel pilot for care-experienced young people in Newcastle and Gateshead. It will be building on this with new employment and work experience opportunities, supporting community providers via the annual £500,000 Youth Fund, free breakfast clubs for 4–10-year-olds, and investment through Children & Families Newcastle in vibrant community spaces offering support to families.

Cllr Sylvia Copley, Cabinet Member, a Growing City, Newcastle City Council said “The cost-of-living crisis is the top priority for us so that’s why we are taking immediate action.

“With the cost-of-living crisis hitting families hard, tackling child poverty in Newcastle is central to the raft of measures we are putting in place.

“Working with partners, we have taken swift action to extend our support during the school holidays to try and reduce some of this pressure on families and to ensure children continue to enjoy engaging activities as well as a hot meal during the winter breaks.

“Children and young people are the future of our great city and giving them the best start in life is vital.”