Food support for families in Somerset
Any family in need should call the Somerset 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.
They want to ensure no child or adult in Somerset goes hungry. Their aim is to meet the immediate need for food, and to work with the family to address underlying needs. This is because if a child is hungry there are usually other issues they would want to help them address. These could be financial, housing, mental health and wellbeing, employment, and skills.
Throughout the pandemic the Somerset Coronavirus Helpline has been providing information, advice and support to families. This has been done by 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 their work.
A further £125,000 has been set aside in case more funds are needed to ensure families are fed this winter.
Any family in need should call the Somerset Coronavirus helpline on 0300 790 6275 and select Option 1.
The helpline is available from 8am to 6pm every day, including weekends.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired you can contact us using SMS text: 07781 482858