Support available for families during October half-term

12 Oct 2021 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Families will continue to be supported this October half-term thanks to funding made available to support with food, fuel or uniform. 
 
Parents or carers of children and young people who receive free school meals during term time are eligible to receive £20 in vouchers. These will be distributed via their school, either through the local authorities Huggg scheme or their schools alternative voucher schemes.  
 
Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, cabinet member with responsibility for children’s services, said: “We are pleased to be able to support those families most in need during the half-term break.  
 
“We want to ensure everyone is supported as we head into the colder months, so I urge those families not eligible for free school meals but finding themselves needing additional help to contact our Northumberland Communities Together team.”
 
Over 9,000 children and young people will benefit from the support with parents and carers being sent their vouchers electronically.  
 
Those who receive Huggg vouchers, will be able to use them at supermarkets such as Aldi, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Marks and Spencer.  
 
Families eligible for this support will have been communicated with via their school.  
 
Families that are currently not eligible for this support but are facing financial hardship or would like to find out more about the support available to them and their children this half-term or beyond should contact Northumberland Communities Together. 
 
Phone the Northumberland Communities Together Response Hub on 01670 620015 9am-6pm, 7 days a week or email: NCT@northumberland.gov.uk to find out more. 
 
Northumberland Communities Together with the support of Citizen’s Advice and the Community Bank will be holding a series of sessions this November to support those worried about the winter months.   
 
More details will be available at www.northumberland.gov.uk