Children across the district who have free school meals will be getting vouchers again over the coming Easter holidays.

Essex County Council (ECC) has confirmed that the meals voucher system will be in place during the Easter break, allowing parents and young people to use them to shop and select their own food.

ECC and Active Essex are also running the 'Essex ActivAte' holiday activity and food programme over Easter. Funded by both the Government and ECC, the holiday club will support secondary school students with activities, a healthy meal and lessons on healthy eating. The scheme will be aimed at young people who need this help and not just those who qualify for free school meals

The meal vouchers worth £30 per child are being sent to parents and young people by email or text by Friday, 26 March. Printed vouchers will be provided to parents who cannot access them online.

The vouchers can only be exchanged for food and can be used in most supermarkets and the McColls chain of local shops.

Wonde, a national provider of free school meal vouchers, will send the vouchers direct and ease the burden on schools that are already busy coping with the impacts of Covid-19.

Parents or young people who have received vouchers or have questions can find out more at the link here.

Through the Easter holidays, ActivAte will deliver holiday activity clubs for secondary school-age children who need them, not just those eligible for free school meals. The clubs provide nutritious meals, outreach, nutrition education for all the family, a schedule of fun sessions and online activities through the Keep Essex Active Youtube channel as well as holiday activity packs.

Due to the current restrictions and government guidance the Essex ActiveAte Easter holiday programme will provide a limited face to face offer for the most vulnerable young people.

Councillor Louise McKinlay, Cabinet Member for Children and Families at Essex County Council, said: "Last summer we launched our Holiday Camp Activity Scheme, engaging with youngsters in a fun and positive way and providing a nutritious meal.

"The initiative was very popular with working parents, helping them with childcare during the long school holidays. That was just the start and I am delighted that this year, we will see the number of sessions increase ten-fold to 250,000. Camps will be across the whole county, so wherever you live, there will be one nearby."