Food support for families in Somerset

Somerset County Council announcement:
We have food available this half-term and any family in need should call our Coronavirus helpline on 0300 790 6275 and select Option 1.

Somerset County Council has pledged £125,000 of additional support for families in Somerset who may be struggling to find food this winter.

We want to ensure no child or adult in Somerset goes hungry. Our aim is to meet the immediate need for food, and work with the family to address underlying needs. This is because if a child is hungry there are usually other issues we would want to help them address – such as financial, housing, mental health and wellbeing, employment, and skills.

Throughout the pandemic the Coronavirus Helpline has been providing information, advice and support to families, adopting the same community orientated approach as that developed in the Adults service. The Village Agent offer to families has been extended so that they can get support to address underlying issues and regain, or retain, their ability to be as independent as possible.

This has enabled many families in Somerset to get the support they need to become more resilient. One element of this has been to make sure families can access nutritious meals – this remains a focus of our work.

This week it was agreed to set aside a further £125,000 in case more funds are needed to ensure families are fed this winter.

We have food available this half-term and any family in need should call our Coronavirus helpline on 0300 790 6275 and select Option 1.