Families supported during the Christmas holidays

14 Dec 2021 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Families will continue to be supported during the Christmas break thanks to funding made available to help with food, fuel, school uniform and activities. 

The Holiday Activity and Food programme (HAF) and Household Support Fund aims to support families during winter months. 

Cath McEvoy-Carr, Executive Director for adult social care and children’s services, said: “Supporting families over the festive period is extremely important. Our children and young people deserve to enjoy this time and through the funding made available we can ensure that is the case this Christmas.” 

Parents or carers of children and young people who receive free school meals during term time will receive vouchers, distributed electronically via their school, either through the local authority’s Huggg scheme or their school’s alternative voucher schemes. 

Those who receive Huggg vouchers will be able to use them at local supermarkets. 

Over 9,000 children and young people will benefit from the support and those eligible will have been communicated with via their school. 
Activities for children, young people and families to meet friends, learn new skills, eat some delicious meals and make memories to cherish forever will also be on offer during the Christmas break. 

Fantastic experiences including visits to Northumberland Zoo, Alnwick Gardens, ice skating, clip and climb, swimming and movie days, all making for an action-packed holiday will be on offer. 

Maureen Taylor, Interim Executive Director for communities and business development, said: “Our Northumberland Communities Together team is there to support those in our communities who need it. With the help of our partners and colleagues in the community we want to be able to support as many people as possible.  

“You are not alone. Please do reach out to them if you need to.” 

Families who think their children might benefit from the holiday activities, or that are currently not eligible for the vouchers and would like to find out more about other support available to them and their children this Christmas, or beyond, should contact Northumberland Communities Together.
 
Phone Northumberland Communities Together on 01670 620015, 9 am – 6 pm, 7 days a week or email: NCT@northumberland.gov.uk