Household Support
Vouchers for use over the Holidays
Since the pandemic began, the government have been funding vouchers to supplement holiday meals for children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM). Parents of eligible children will automatically receive a voucher per child. We are delighted to confirm that the level of funding has been increased to £25 per child per week. It is our understanding that support will be provided over the February and Easter breaks. Vouchers will be with you before we break up for the holidays.
Household Support Fund
Households who may struggle to afford life’s essentials over winter are being encouraged to talk to Citizens Advice about a new voucher scheme, set up by Cherwell District Council using money from the government’s Household Support Fund.
It will help pay for vulnerable households’ food, energy, and water bills – but other costs can be covered too, including clothing and replacements or repairs for white goods or essential transport costs.
Anyone who believes they will need this support is invited to contact Citizens Advice North Oxfordshire and South Northants (CANOSN).
The scheme is not only open to those on benefits. Instead, the funds are awarded based on a household’s specific situation and needs.
People can call the CANOSN Household Support Fund helpline on 0300 303 0993. They should leave their details in a voicemail and wait for a call back to be assessed.
More information about the scheme can be found here.
Additional help
Oxfordshire County Council
If you would like advice and support with the costs of food and other household essentials, there is a range of support available on the Oxfordshire County Council website.
Sunshine Centre
Aims to provide both practical help and emotional support and offer a one-stop service, including:
- Courses & groups: basic skills, family learning and parenting, plus support groups for survivors of domestic abuse
- Antenatal & health visitors: with weekly groups and drop in clinics
- Stay & play sessions: for parents/carers and under 5’s to explore activities together, meet others and share experiences
- Baby groups: a chance for parents and babies to attend groups like baby massage
- Community Larder
Please contact them if you feel any of their services could be of help to you.
Address: Edmunds Road, Banbury, OX16 0PJ
Tel: 01295-276769 Email: community@sunshinecentre.org website: www.sunshinecentre.org
The Trussell Trust Food Bank
The Banbury Food Bank is available via a number of local distribution centres. They can provide support parcels to last a number of days, for collection at specified times. You will need a voucher to access the food bank, find out more here: https://banbury.foodbank.org.uk/get-help/foodbank-vouchers/
Harriers is authorised to issue vouchers for the Food Bank, so we encourage families who may be struggling to let us know – you can do so confidentially via the office, class teacher or via Mrs Stephens.
If at any time you want more information about The Trussell Trust’s work please use this link to take you to the main website https://www.trusselltrust.org/
Salvation Army gifts
Find advice on a range of issues including debt, domestic abuse, homelessness, employment etc on The Salvation Army community page: https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/community