Support for Families this Winter
Christmas Holiday Lunch Scheme – Winchester Basics Bank are inviting families with school-aged children (who live or attend a school in the city of Winchester and some surrounding areas, including Alresford) who feel they need some extra help over the school holidays to register for their Holiday Lunch Scheme.. If additional support is needed, e.g. food for the whole family, we would recommend a standard food voucher is applied for – see www.winchesterbasicsbank.co.uk/get-help.
As part of the County Council’s connect4communities programme, this Christmas, almost 120 sites across Hampshire will be running HAF schemes, offering free enriching activities and wholesome food each day for those receiving benefits-related free school meals during term time and other vulnerable school-age children. As well as enjoying hot nutritious meals, children are encouraged to be active by participating in sports and spending time outdoors and trying their hand at a range of activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, games and free play.
Winchester Basics Bank – Alresford Food Hub
Winchester Community Food Pantry
Trussell Trust – find a Food Bank
We understand that it is an especially tough time of year for many families. Back in the spring, the government announced that food vouchers will no longer be made available to eligible families for the school holidays due to changes in the Department for Work and Pensions Household Support Fund Extension grant criteria which mean less of the funding can be targeted to households with families.
Hampshire County Council have advice and guidance for families, including a section on the connect4communities Programme support on their Family Information and Services Hub
The Winchester Basics Bank are now accepting applications for our Winter Holiday Lunch scheme – for families with school aged children to receive extra help with ingredients for hot food for the lunches during the school holiday. Families can apply via a form here by Thursday 2nd Dec, but if access to the internet is difficult please call 01962 864720 on a Tue or Fri 9-3pm to register for the scheme.
Registration closes on Thursday 2nd December and collection for the holiday food is 5th-16th December. If additional support is needed, e.g. food for the whole family, we would recommend a standard food voucher is applied for – see www.winchesterbasicsbank.co.uk/get-help.
The school has also been granted a small fund to support families in need. If you are struggling financially especially with fuel or food, please let us know in confidence and we may be able to assist.
You may contact us directly and in confidence at school@perins.hants.sch.uk.
