Food provision has been a vital part of the Council’s efforts since the start of the pandemic. Many volunteers stepped up to help households that were shielding or suffering financial problems at the time of the first lockdown. Much other help has been offered since.

There was a very successful pilot scheme of the holiday activities and food program back in the Easter school holidays, where children were given ‘Free School Meals’, food bags with recipe ideas, as well as activity bags.

This enabled a similar scheme in the summer holidays within which over 2,600 Gloucester children and their families were given four days of meals each week during the month of August, thanks to a partnership between The Venture: White City, Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, the GL4 Community Interest Company, Gloucester City Council, Thomas Franks Feeding Communities, The King’s School, Gloucester and other community partners.

Serving 35,000 meals across the city

The City Council coordinated the ‘Holiday Activities and Food’, or HAF program, which provided 136 open access family play sessions, 16,000 hot meals, nearly 9,700 family picnic bags and 9,700 home cooking kits to families across Gloucester. This scheme was to serve approximately 35,000 meals across Gloucester City – I am sure you will agree, no mean feat!

This was a monumental task involving numerous volunteers, many of whom were local ward councillors giving up their spare time to help with this project. Our aim was to bring people together in their local community and make use of green spaces to take part in active, creative and fun activities, with the food provision being about enjoying the social side of eating a meal together.

The extension of provision to families, as well as the free school meals for children, was an important aspect. The provision was open access to help reduce the stigma attached to free school meals and ensure the offer was inclusive.

Outdoor play and activity sessions were also part of the offer. Volunteer help was much appreciated from the Musicworks and Active Gloucestershire, as well as the other organisations who delivered the activity sessions.

Once again, thanks to all volunteers who helped with this scheme. It is such a pleasure to see how communities and individuals come together to help those who need it.