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Charities deliver free meals to children during school holidays

BBC Five young girls sitting on a grassy patch at a playground, with two mums sitting behind them. It is a sunny day and the children are wearing colourful dresses while one is kneeling on a pink scooter. BBC
The children gather to eat and play together during the summer holidays

Hot lunches have been provided to children aged three to 12 this summer by two charities.

With support from Bristol-based charity Props, young adults with learning difficulties have been preparing lunches for children on the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) government-funded scheme.

The food is then donated to Children's Scrapstore, where children - who are entitled to free school meals during term time - gather to eat and play together in Beverston Gardens in Lawrence Weston, Bristol.

The scheme aims to improve children's mental health and support families experiencing food poverty, which is exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis.

According to the government, a quarter of school children were eligible for free school meals in January 2024 - which is a total of 2.1 million pupils across the UK.

Families at this threshold for free school meals can often struggle with food insecurity when schools break for summer.

Alys Scratchley with her brown hair tied up in a bun, wearing a bright green t-shirt that says 'Children's Scrapstore' on it. She is standing in front of a blue cabana tent where there are tables set up, and children playing together in the background
Ms Scratchley says food insecurity can "affect children's wellbeing and mental health"

"It's vital we keep that same consistency from being fed in school to carry on throughout the holidays," said Scrapstore play development officer, Alys Scratchley.

"Not only from the child's point of view, but also from the parents'. To the families that are out there struggling, if we can do anything to help that then we will."

Since 2021, Children's Scrapstore has showed up for 50 weeks out of the year.

They run after-school sessions during term time and lunch meet-ups during the summer, combining nutrition with a "sense of community".

"We're giving them an opportunity to socialise, make friends, practice conversation and emotional regulation," Ms Scratchley added.

Stacey Bishop wearing a grey t-shirt and a green apron. She has shoulder length light brown hair and is smiling at the camera, standing beside some shelving in a commercial kitchen
Ms Bishop says the long-term goal is to find secure employment for her trainees

Across the city, in Fishponds, Props café manager Stacey Bishop says the collaboration benefits much more than just the children.

"Our trainees are adults with learning difficulties, so we teach them catering and hospitality skills," she said.

"We've been open for two years and it's really nice to see how far they've come from the beginning up to now.

"They couldn't hold a knife, they were afraid of working in a kitchen. Now, to see them independent, it's wonderful. It's great to see them flourish."

Two trainee chefs from Props wrapping sandwiches in greaseproof paper. They are both wearing green aprons and standing in a commercial kitchen.
The charity trains people with disabilities to do "rewarding work" and "contribute to their community"

Ms Bishop says the partnership generates "a sense of achievement" by helping other charities thrive.

"We just want to grow our wings and help others, providing healthy and nutritious meals that some children might not have," she added.

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