Blog
TLG’s response to summer holiday provision
16th June 2020
On 16th June - in response to pressure from individuals, charities and other MPs - the government committed to funding holiday provision for children in receipt of Free School Meals over the summer holidays. Tim Morfin, CEO of Transforming Lives for Good (TLG), responded on behalf of the charity to this announcement.
At Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) we welcome the news that the Government has committed to funding holiday provision for children in receipt of Free School Meals over the course of the upcoming summer holidays.
We are incredibly grateful to our fellow organisations, members of the public and the MPs who have worked together to bring about this change. We also campaigned for this and we’re delighted that the government reconsidered the importance of this direct support to families. We would particularly like to acknowledge the role of Marcus Rashford, who has been instrumental in bringing this issue into the public sphere, leading to this vital development.
As a charity working on the frontline to support families facing food insecurity through our TLG Make Lunch clubs, we know first-hand that Free School Meals are a lifeline to children who should not have to go hungry. This announcement will make a big difference to those families who have relied upon the vouchers over the course of this pandemic. Families can now look to the summer holidays knowing that they will have some financial support in helping provide food for their children, at a time where more and more are feeling the strain of financial and food insecurity.
One of these families is Sarah and her family, supported by TLG Make Lunch in Hinckley, who told BBC News ‘It's a huge relief for many families because it helps out with the weekly shop, especially for families who can't work due to the pandemic.'
While the extension of this provision is critically important, particularly at a time where the current public health crisis limits gatherings, we know that the vital support needed is broader . The impact of COVID-19 calls for a community-wide response. We need churches and individuals to play their part in coming alongside struggling families - offering care, connection and a wider support network that caters to individual needs. As a charity, we will continue to support these families through our TLG Make Lunch Clubs and our ‘Boxes of Hope’ initiative – equipping local churches to personally respond to the needs of families on their doorsteps. So far 100 churches in partnership with TLG have provided over 35,000 equivalent meals to nearly 2,000 children and their families. You can find out more about our Boxes of Hope here.
We also know this is an issue not just specific to COVID-19. We are asking for a permanent policy response that provides for children eligible for Free School Meals over every school holiday.
If you would like to find out more about our Boxes of Hope appeal, click here. If you would like to keep updated on TLG's work, you can follow us on Facebook or Twitter.
