School sent FSM vouchers

[UndertheCedartree]

I had a message from school to say parents with DC on FSM will be getting supermarket vouchers! I nearly cried! I didn't think we would get any vouchers as the council said they are providing holiday clubs instead. My DD gets very anxious so I've signed her up for 1 out of a possible 4 weeks (Mon to Thurs for 4 hours a day) and that will be enough for her but obviously no FSM on the rest of the 7 weeks.
Money is so tight and that extra bit will make the world of difference. For those who raise awareness of school holiday hunger - thank you.

Our LA is providing £50 for 5 weeks, school have made it up to £15 a week for the 6 weeks and 4 days they're closed so fsm parents got one for £90.

They are restricted to Morrisons and Aldi though but they're both within walking distance of the school so not a massive issue.

@Bluetoybear

So so pleased for you this government is finelly getting its arse into gear!.. People are struggling!

It's not the government's doing in the slightest.

They're providing funding to pay providers to offer 4 hours at a holiday club in England.

Actual vouchers or money are coming from school budgets and from local councils. It's fuck all to do with Westminster or the supermarkets wanting to help out.

Same way we've done parcels for FSM kids and paid for activities, games and other items in parcels for ours.

@Tupperwarelid - that's great!

Marcus Rashford shamed the government into providing meals during holidays. He is a real hero. Op I'm really glad you are getting some extra support.

I'm so pleased for you. Hope it makes your summer a bit sunnier

My school emailed yday to say we’d be getting a £60. I too could’ve cried. Marcus Rashford is a hero to me.

I am if course very grateful that my DD is getting 4 mornings at a holiday club at her school including a hot lunch for free. Holiday clubs are very expensive so nice for her to be able to experience it and hopefully have a lot of fun if I can support her with her anxiety. But it is good to see lots of people are getting supermarket vouchers as 7 weeks of holiday is a long time!

I am also getting support with my debts/budgeting from a group called Christians against Poverty. The volunteer I see is a diamond. He brought us a present each at Christmas, Easter Eggs at Easter and last Summer he told me they usually arrange a fun day for their families but due to Covid they couldn't so he brought us some arts and crafts to keep the DC occupied over the holidays. So, so thoughtful!

@NeverDropYourMoonCup - those activities will be appreciated so much!

@Nahhh - I agree. I can't describe that feeling when you are struggling, working so hard to get what you can, being made to feel like a scrounger, feeling nothing will ever be good again ...and then from nowhere someone just shows you kindness..the feeling that you are not alone - someone cares...I really am crying now! Thank you to all the wonderful people out there

I am very pleased for you and thank you for posting. It helps me for one know how important it is that these should be available in case any petitions, votes etc come up on this subject in the future.

That’s great news for you.

I just think it’s disgraceful that some people have so much and some people are on the bones of their arses trying stretch every last penny just to provide a basic necessity.

There is something wrong with a society that will let children go hungry as the benefits system and National Living Wage just don’t provide enough.

Also that the more ‘nutritious’ foods are relatively so bloody expensive.

I run a foodbank
Please reach out to your local one if you are struggling x

We have a lot to thank Marcus Rashford for
for his mum for raising such a wonderful young man (it’s is MUMSnet after all )

Pleased for you.
Hope you have a lovely summer with your DD.

(Activities can cost so much in the summer. It will cost me £18 to take my two swimming at the fun pool for example. £11 at the basic. We can afford that... but even something so basic being expensive is pants really)

How do you get entitled to the holiday clubs? I have 4 kids and a lone parent so the 6 weeks holidays are very difficult

@PumpkinKlNG

How do you get entitled to the holiday clubs? I have 4 kids and a lone parent so the 6 weeks holidays are very difficult

Our LA sent out letters via the school with a code on to apply for them.

Oh shame didn’t get anything like that , our school isn’t that supportive though so not surprised

I had an email about the holiday clubs but for some unknown reason 14 and 16 year olds don't want to go

No idea if we'll still be getting fsm vouchers, DS1 did his GCSEs this year and his school have been providing vouchers every week since he finished.

Fabulous news OP. I was a child of a single parent, not a lot of money coming in, FSM were an absolute godsend to us.

This is the Government guidance

www.gov.uk/government/publications/holiday-activities-and-food-programme/holiday-activities-and-food-programme-2021

It’s £15 per week round here too....will make a big difference to lots of familes

Our council are doing it too…£15 a week per child which is amazing and I’m so grateful

This and the little yellow post it note photo on Marcus Rashford’s twitter account saying ‘Thank you for all our dinner. Reggie, 6’ have really heartened me today. Fab news!

Great news!

Absolutely blooming brilliant news OP.

I’ve had a voucher for £117 which will be a massive help