Free school meal vouchers will be available for eligible children in Maldon this October half-term (25-29 October), due to renewed funding from Essex County Council.

The council has been allocated £666,000 from the household support fund it receives from the Department for Work and Pensions to support those in most need this winter with the cost of food, energy, water bills and other essentials.

Free school meal vouchers will be sent to parents of eligible children and young people through their school, college or early years setting before the holidays begin which they can use to buy their own food.

The vouchers are worth £15 a week per child and can be used to buy food in most supermarkets.

Councillor Louise McKinlay, deputy leader and cabinet member for community, equality, partnerships and performance, said: "I am delighted that we are once again able to extend our free school meals scheme into the holidays, as we know what a difference this can make to families, particularly those struggling as a result of the pandemic."

Wonde, a national provider of free school meal vouchers, will coordinate the scheme.

The county council has also allocated £203,000 to fund 12,800 free places for children at Active Essex's ActivAte holiday clubs during the half-term.

The clubs are available to children and young people eligible for free school meals, and those from working families who may be struggling financially and require extra childcare support.

Abberton Rural Training, an education charity based in Colchester, is providing free gardening sessions to Maldon children as part of the programme which will take place on Tuesday 26 October.

Councillor McKinlay said: "Through holiday free school meals and the children's food and activity clubs we want to ensure children and young people in our county can enjoy nutritious food and fun activities during their break, whilst also helping to alleviate financial and childcare pressures for families."

You can find out more about the free gardening sessions available in Maldon here.