Food vouchers for children to continue over summer holidays

Food vouchers for children eligible for free school meals will continue into the summer holidays after Norfolk County Council received additional Covid support funding from the Government.

It means the vouchers, which are worth £15 per child per week, will be provided over the six-week summer break, supporting around 27,000 children in the county.

Schools and colleges will be able to order vouchers worth £90 each on behalf of all registered eligible.

The vouchers are available to families in receipt of certain benefits whose children would normally receive free school meals during term time. These children can also benefit from activities and food over the holidays, via the council’s Big Norfolk Holiday Fun scheme.

Schools can order the food vouchers for pupils using an online service. Families can then either redeem their vouchers via an online code or receive a printed voucher by post, collection or delivery if they don’t have internet access.

Families who do not receive free school meals but who are struggling can contact The Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) for support. The scheme can help people who have been furloughed, are on reduced hours or have been made redundant because of the pandemic.

NAS can support with food, paying bills and money for essentials for families struggling to meet everyday needs. It can also help with household items like white goods or beds. The support is for two weeks to begin with but anyone requiring more long-term help can work with NAS to access further support. To find out more and apply visit www.norfolk.gov.uk/nas