Schools to open in the holidays to support poor families

National charity Children in Scotland has launched the Food, Families, Futures (FFF) programme, which is working with communities to ensure families can access food and related support when they need to.

From today Dalmarnock and Ibrox primaries will serve lunchtime meals and offer activities to children and parents in the local community.

The heads of both schools believe the programme will offer substantial and meaningful help to families over the summer.

The Children in Scotland programme was created in response to schools reporting that many families faced severe difficulties during holiday periods without the free school meal entitlement.

Ibrox Primary headteacher Fiona Young said, ‘Ibrox’s Summer Holiday Club will be a focal point in the community throughout July and an opportunity for children to build on their school learning about healthy diets and lifestyles. It also means our children and families can have a delicious lunch every weekday and take part in a great range of activities including art and craft, football, dancing and trips away.’

In Glasgow 39 per cent of primary school pupils are in receipt of free school meals with Ibrox and Dalmarnock primaries among the highest rates of entitlement in Scotland.

Children in Scotland is leading the programme with support from food service company Brake’s Meals & More programme, STV Hunter, People’s Postcode Lottery and as charity partner of Business in the Community Scotland (BITC Scotland).

Dalmarnock Primary headteacher Nancy Clunie said, ‘We know that some of the families in our community can need extra support during the holidays, particularly families who in term time are entitled to free school meals. We are delighted that what is going to be on offer at Dalmarnock includes not only a free meal but the chance to feel supported, be involved in activities and get together with other local families.’

The project in Dalmarnock is in partnership with PEEK, Thriving Places and the North East Health Improvement team of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, with extra support from Clyde Gateway.

Mark Bevan, BITC Scotland’s operations director, said, ‘Growing up without proper nutrition because family income is too low should not happen anywhere, but it is happening here in Scotland today.

‘These are children who will be simply too hungry to concentrate at school. There will be implications for their health. In a country with a stable working age population, which needs all of the talents and skills of all of our young people to fuel our economy, this is a waste of potential that business and society cannot afford to endure. ??

He added that the programme would ‘not only ensure that these children have adequate nutrition to improve their life chances but also that they and their parents will receive support and opportunities to learn new skills, gain experience and engage with their communities.’

John McLintock, operations director, Brakes Scotland, added, ‘This is the first year we have partnered with Children in Scotland to focus on child poverty in Glasgow and we will ensure good quality meals are available in these communities, hoping that our practical input helps address inequalities and child poverty.’

The programme will expand into North Ayrshire in August, with the launch of a breakfast club at Irvine Royal Academy.

The scheme is being evaluated by Professor Greta Defeyter, director of Business and Employer Engagement and director of Healthy Living at Northumbria University, and PhD student Jackie Woods, with early findings expected towards the end of 2016.