Funded Activities and Meal Vouchers for Struggling Sefton Families Over Summer

Children and families in Sefton will once again be supported over the summer holidays with a range of funded holiday activities on offer as well as food vouchers available to those families who might be struggling over the summer period.

The Council will be providing vouchers to over 9,000 families who are eligible for free school meals. The vouchers worth £15 per child per week provide a valuable resource for families who may be worrying about the cost of the upcoming summer holidays. Vouchers can be used to buy food from local supermarkets, either in-store or online by eligible families who qualify for free school meals.

Children from Reception up to Year 11 who receive free school meals can also access summer holiday activities ranging from sports, pottery, bushcraft, discos and even pony care! Families can access fully funded places at these activities to ensure children in Sefton have a fun filled summer break.

Cllr Diane Roscoe, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families said:

“Sadly, for a lot of people across Sefton, there are worries about fuel bills, inflation and the added pressure of summer holidays only makes this situation more difficult for families.

“By providing around 9,000 Sefton families with these meal vouches for the school holiday period, we can hopefully help to ease some of their concerns and remove the worry parents and carers have over summer.

“We also know that entertaining the kids over half term can be expensive at a time when every penny counts. We hope that funded local activities will keep children active and learning over the summer holidays and give them the chance to make friends and have fun too.”

A full list of providers across Sefton offering free to access holiday provision for those in reception to year 11 and in receipt of benefits related free school meals is available on our website.  Each provider will have a limited number of funded places subject to availability and demand. Families can contact providers directly for more information and to book a place.

You can find more information on the website

Free school meals and how to apply for them is one of the areas covered in the special Cost of Living section that Sefton Council has set up on its website at www.sefton.gov.uk/costofliving.

Other areas include Welfare Benefits, help with rent and Council Tax, debt advice, health and wellbeing, foodbanks & food pantries and a link to the Sefton Support Hub.

Additionally, there are details of the Emergency Limited Assistance (ELAS) scheme, which can provide a one-off payment to Sefton residents experiencing severe hardship, a disaster or emergency.