County council’s voucher gift for 21,000 families

21,000 families received supermarket vouchers from Cambridgeshire County Council to help tackle financial pressures during the school half term break.

A council spokesperson said: “The cost-of-living crisis, and rising energy bills have put an additional strain on families who were already worrying about how to make ends meet.”

The council distributed over £320,000 from the Holiday Voucher Scheme to provide support during the October half term.

The scheme will also continue in December and February half terms, to give families a helping hand during the winter.

21,427 vouchers were sent to support children who would usually be eligible for other support.

Each eligible child’s parent was issued a £15 voucher that could be used at a supermarket of their choice.

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Eligibility automatically included families who met the following criteria: 

•            Early Years Pupil Premium

•            Children eligible for income related funded two-year-old education

•            Eligible for income-related Free School Meals

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•            Students eligible for 16+ bursary.

Further details can be found here: Cambridgeshire Holiday Voucher Scheme – Cambridgeshire County Council

Councillor Bryony Goodliffe, chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Children and Young People’s Committee said: “School half terms can be daunting for families who rely on free school meals for their children.

“I am so pleased that the Holiday Voucher Scheme is able to continue as a lifeline to parents and guardians.

“I hope the supermarket vouchers are able to take some stress of families so they can focus on enjoying their October half term holiday together.”

A vital support scheme aimed at helping vulnerable residents struggling with the rising costs of living has been extended for a further five months.

The Household Support Fund (HSF) which has already helped over 35,000 people since launching last November has been extended until March 2023.

The latest extension has been granted to support people over the autumn and winter period.

Find out more here: https://orlo.uk/65DyC