Lib Dem Group Welcome Council Support for Food Poverty Families

*Rochdale Liberal Democrats Council Group Press Statement*

The Rochdale Liberal Democrat group, consisting of Councillors Andy Kelly, Irene Davidson & David Bamford issued a joint statement this morning endorsing the stance of Rochdale Council in providing direct support to families in food poverty after the Tory led Westminster government voted down plans to expand existing arrangements this week.

'We welcome Rochdale Council's decision, after a week which has seen the reckless cruelty of the Tories contrasted with the entusiastic sincerity of Marcus Rashford it is encouraging to see a positive local response to this growing national crisis. The challenge now is to get the help where it is needed quickly - Rochdale Liberal Democrats stand ready to support the speedy distribution of this vital assistance package.'

Rochdale Council issued the following press release - explaing how the program will work and who to contact if you feel you may be eligable:

Council works with Family Action to support families

Rochdale Borough Council is working with Family Action to develop an offer worth £20,000 to families who experience food poverty.

Food Clubs have been developed across the borough that will allow families to sign up for the year for just £1 and then they have access to buy £15 worth of food for just £3.50, which will be a real benefit to families who are experiencing food poverty in these difficult times.

The council and Rochdale Borough Safeguarding Children Partnership have invested £20,000 to set up three new food clubs with established charity Family Action.

The clubs are proving very popular and helpful to local families. There is the option to purchase the significantly reduced food bags but the council and has also invested in providing free bags to those most in need.

Since the scheme started in July 834 bags have been provided.

Councillor Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children's services, said "We see this as one of our key Covid-19 recovery steps where we can sustainably support our families which encourages them to help themselves in an achievable way."

"It is a sad reality that many families struggle to provide food for all the family, as Marcus Rashford has highlighted recently, and projects like this will be invaluable. I'm proud of the action we're taking for our families."

Family Action run Food on our Doorstep (FOOD) projects that aim to provide regular access to sustainable food, encourage families to seek wider support, reduce the cost of food so that families are in a better position to improve their life chance and wellbeing and reduce the amount of food being sent to landfill but utilising surplus food.

Food is sourced from their partnership with FareShare which links in with local and national suppliers.

Michael Cowieson from Family Action, said: "We're delighted to have partnered up with Rochdale Borough Council on this. From the feedback we receive, we know our clubs make a huge difference and it has changed their lives massively so it will be a huge benefit to many families going through challenging times."

If you require the support of our new food club then please contact:

Newbold Youth Centre (Rochdale) 01706 649729

Littleborough Children's Centre 01706 378166

Derby St. Children's Centre 01706 369889

Council to support families with new half-term school meals support

Rochdale Borough Council will be funding extra free school meal vouchers during this October half-term.

The council is investing in £140,000 into children and family support by providing £15 Aldi vouchers to families - one for each child eligible for free school meals.

This investment from the council will support over 9,300 children across the borough.

Leader of the council, Councillor Allen Brett, said: "I'm proud that we're providing this extra support to those in need. During COVID-19 we have invested in £500,000 of Aldi vouchers to top up those on free school meals, we invested £30,000 into the borough established food banks and we've also invested another £30,000 into setting up a new food club for families. All of this is in a climate of repeated budget cuts to local authorities. We're doing all we can and we need government to start understanding the severity of the issue; no child should be going hungry."

Families who are struggling can also access the new food club the council runs with charity Family Action. By paying an annual membership fee of just £1 families that join can then buy £15 of food for only £3.50 and multiple purchases can be made to support larger families. Our early help teams also work with families in most need to pay for free food bags.

Since it opened in July 1,166 food parcels have been provided to support families.

Councillor Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children's services, said: "It is clear that nationally we need a long term solution from government but we also need them to provide short term support. Times are even harder now for families, especially if they have seen their income reduced due to COVID-19 restrictions. The work Marcus Rashford has done to highlight child hunger and poverty with his own lived experience is so powerful. We support his aims and where families have been let down by government we're stepping in to do what we can in these difficult times."

For any families that are struggling the council also has a wide package of early help support available.

Early help support is extra help we offer to children, young people and their families when they need it. This can prevent small problems becoming big problems.

Every family is unique and everyone can go through problems that are difficult to deal with. Sometimes families need a bit of extra support. For example, you might be worried about your child's behaviour or development, or you might be experiencing some changes or difficulties that you can't manage by yourself.

Everyone struggles at times, it is ok to ask for help. The council is here for you and would like to support you with any issues as early as possible.

For more information please visit rochdale.gov.uk/EarlyHelp or you can phone our early help team on 0300 303 8801 or email them at early.help@rochdale.gov.uk

Gail Hopper

Director of Children's Services

Children's Services