Support available for Peterborough families impacted by COVID

More people than ever before will be supported by Peterborough City and Cambridgeshire County councils , who are working closely with other local councils, the community and district hub network and voluntary organisations in the area.

They will provide Winter Support Packages to families to make sure that, not only no child goes hungry this year whether they are eligible for free school meals or in a range of other categories, but also that families and individuals who might struggle with other essential bills, such as utilities, can be supported.

Councillor Simon Bywater, Chairman Children and Young People Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “It’s been an incredibly challenging year for many of us and it’s vital that we can provide support to everyone who needs it.”

Councillor Lynne Ayres, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education, Skills and the University, said: “It’s fantastic that we’ve received money from government to help vulnerable families and children during such difficult times and I’d like to thank all our officers involved who have worked so incredibly hard to help organise this so quickly.”

The food support will come via a voucher sent to families automatically, using a system many schools are already using. Each eligible child will receive a £15 voucher for each week of the school holidays (two weeks at Christmas and one week in February).

Those eligible for the voucher will be those:

· Eligible for Early Years Pupil Premium

· Funded two year olds

· Eligible for Free School Meals (including those not currently on a school roll)

· Eligible for 16+ bursary

In addition to the Food Vouchers, the scheme is also available to support these same families and individuals with other immediate needs, including (but not limited to) other essential supplies and food, household energy and water bills, essential white goods such as fridges or cookers and boiler servicing and repairs.

Those eligible for this additional support will include:

· Households who receive income-related benefits

· Households facing financial hardship – who councils are aware of

· Families identified as ‘just about managing’ by schools

· Anyone with an Education, Health and Care Plan

· Care Leavers

· Young Carers

· People with ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ status – such as asylum seekers

Although 80% of the grant is aimed at children or families with children, the councils are widening the remit to support a wide range of others in the community in need - and not just for the short term – with the backing of Cllr Irene Walsh Peterborough’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Cllr Steve Criswell, Chairman of Cambridgeshire Communities and Partnership Committee.

Part of the funding is also being allocated to other organisations to help people who are struggling with debt and unemployment issues to make longer term changes to their lives – although this will not be a condition of receiving the immediate help people may need.

Any remaining funding will be allocated to families and those who need support through existing organisations in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough – such as Citizen’s Advice – who are already best placed to support with access to food and utility bills.

If you are a Cambridgeshire or Peterborough resident and feel you may need support this winter and wish to receive more information about how to access this, fill out an online form. For Cambridgeshire, fill out the form here, for Peterborough click here. Alternatively, you can call 0345 045 5219.