Tag: Children and Families

How to feed your kids on a budget this half term

With food prices going through the roof, parents and carers are being provided helpful ways to feed their children on a budget during half term.

The frugal experts at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have looked at affordable ways to plan family meals throughout the week-long break.

Many supermarkets, pubs and restaurants are once again offering free or discounted meals for children but there are also ways to help reduce the cost at home.

Going meat free, doing a family meal plan and having a fun picky tea are among the tips for savvy parents.

Ellie Macsymons, online consumer expert from NetVoucherCodes.co.uk said: “We wanted to give parents a helping hand during this half term.  Many will feel the pinch of rising food costs in their weekly expenses.

“There are numerous schemes available during the week holiday with a wide range of pubs and supermarket restaurants offering special discounts for kids to eat out.

“But we also wanted to provide simple ways for parents to save money on making meals at home for their children during the holidays.”

Here are NetVoucherCodes.co.uk’s budget-friendly ways to feed your kid on a budget this half term:

Picky tea

This is all about taking what you find in the fridge, freezer and cupboard and turning it into a help yourself meal. There could be some leftover chicken, oven chips, a few fish fingers – anything goes. Also means avoiding a last minute dash to the supermarket to pick up something for dinner.

Shop around for half term deals

If the local supermarkets are near one another, visit each store to work out which has the best offers. There could be some decent half term deals on.

Discounted pub meals

Local pubs are providing a variety of discounts for kids to eat cheaper this half term. Head down and find out which are available.

Cheap meals at supermarket restaurants

Just like during the summer holidays, many supermarket chains are offering further discounts on kid’s meals to help with the rising food costs. Have a look at who’s offering what.

‘Once a week’ rule

Set some time aside for a family meal out by using the ‘once a week’ rule where you either dine out weekly or you get a takeaway of your choice as a family treat. This way you can plan around your food shops so less food will be wasted.

Social media budget recipes

Everyone has a favourite social media recipe which has become a weekly make. But if you’re unsure of any meals which can be added to your cookbook, explore social media apps for simple recipes which will cost less than a fiver to make.

Family pizza making

Instead of the Saturday night takeaway, try making your own homemade pizzas. It’s a great way to get kids in the kitchen too and experiment with making their own food.

Family meal plan

It’s best to be organised when planning meals to save the extra pennies. To make this more creative, mark each day with a different colour pen and decorate with stickers when it’s time for a special dish or a day when you’re dining out.

Try veggie days

Meats typically cost the most on weekly meals. If you decide to swap the meat for veggie choices it can save around a third on select meals during the week. Have a look at meals which don’t involve meat or try out some delicious veggie options for half the price.

For budget-friendly ways to feed the kids during half term, head over to NetVoucherCodes.co.uk.

“We are having to skip meals”: Families bear brunt of cost of living crisis as Scots cut back on eating and heating

One in ten consumers in Scotland are skipping meals, new Which? research suggests, as the consumer champion calls on essential businesses to do more to support people through the cost of living crisis.

The consumer champion carried out extensive research with more than 1,000 people representative of the Scottish population to understand how the cost of living crisis is affecting Scottish consumers.

Which? research found financial pressures are leading consumers in Scotland to make choices that could be harmful to their health. One in ten (11%) are skipping meals due to rising food costs – with parents hit particularly hard by this.

One in five (22%) of more than 250 parents in the Scottish survey are prioritising feeding other family members over eating themselves – compared to 8 per cent of the population overall.

One 55-year-old woman said: “We are having to skip meals, not have the heating on and not going out due to fuel costs”.

Nearly eight in 10 (77%) said they had been putting the heating on less due to energy price rises – compared to just under half (46%) last year. 15 per cent of Scottish consumers had been eating fewer cooked meals to save on energy costs and 2 per cent had used a food bank.

A 42-year-old respondent said: “I’m heating the house to a maximum of 15 Degrees… Eating cold things like sandwiches etc. instead of using the cooker”.

Almost nine in 10 consumers said they were worried about energy prices (89%), while concern around food and housing costs have increased sharply compared to the previous year.

The proportion of people worried about food prices increased by 10 percentage points to almost nine in 10 (87%) in December 2022, compared to eight in 10 (77%) in 2021 and six in 10 (63%) in 2020.

Which?’s research shows how justified these concerns about price rises are. The consumer champion estimates that if consumers in Scotland tried to maintain the same spending habits they would need to spend an additional £40 per week – or around £2,080 a year – on food, energy and fuel in December 2022 compared with December 2021. That would mean almost a third (29%) of their household expenditure would be spent on just these essential goods.

This has led many households to make adjustments to cover essential spending. Nearly six in 10 (56%) consumers in Scotland said their household had made at least one adjustment to cover essential spending in the last month, up from nearly half (48%) in 2021 and nearly four in 10 (37%) in 2020. The most common adjustment was cutting back on essentials – which increased to four in 10 (39%) from a quarter (25%) in 2021.

Which?’s research also found that some household types are being hit harder than others by the cost of living crisis. Nearly three-quarters (72%) of parents in Scotland surveyed had to make adjustments to cover essential spending, compared to just over a third (35%) of pensioners.

Only four in 10 (37%) working-age parents surveyed in Scotland say that they are living comfortably or doing alright – compared to half (50%) of Scottish consumers overall.

These financial pressures are causing widespread emotional harm among Scottish consumers. Nearly half (45%) of consumers in Scotland said that concerns around the cost of living have left them feeling anxious and more than a fifth (22%) said they were struggling to sleep due to worries about the cost of living.

A 34-year-old woman said: “I’m severely depressed and worried all the time about being able to pay my bills and have enough money to feed and clothe my kids as well as electricity and gas to heat my home.

“It’s having a massive effect on my mental health, I feel anxious and stressed out all the time”.

A 54-year-old man said: “I’m having sleepless nights worrying what else is rising in price”.

With the UK heading into recession, mortgages and rent costs rising and the energy price guarantee becoming less generous from April, Scottish consumers will only face further financial pressures in 2023.

Which? recently launched a campaign calling on essential businesses – energy firms, broadband providers and supermarkets – to do more to help consumers struggling to make ends meet. For example, supermarkets must ensure that budget line items are widely available, make pricing and offers more transparent and provide targeted promotions to support people that are struggling most with access to affordable food.

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: “It’s hugely concerning that people in Scotland are losing sleep, skipping meals and sitting in the cold due to rising prices.

“As the cost of living crisis puts huge pressure on household finances, we are calling on businesses in essential sectors like food, energy and broadband providers to do more to help customers get a good deal and avoid unnecessary or unfair costs and charges during this crisis.”

TODAY: Leith Library Fun Day

FREE FAMILY FUN ACTIVITIES

We’d love all the Leith community to join us for our Warm and Welcoming family fun day, TODAY – Friday 10th February – from 11am to 3pm.

– info & advice stalls throughout the day providing support with the cost of living, employability, health and wellbeing

from Access to Industry, AdvoCard, Age Scotland, Bethany Christian Trust, Changeworks, Edinburgh City Libraries, CEC Family & Household Support Service, LifeCare Edinburgh, People Know How, Social Security Scotland, Volunteer Edinburgh and more!

– Macmillan at Edinburgh Libraries are hosting a drop-in coffee morning from 11am to 12pm

– children’s face-painting, & other activities from Fair Saturday Scotland from 12pm to 2pm

– tour of Leith Theatre at 1pm (sign up for this on the day)

– dance workshop for children ages 4+ and their families at 2.30pm

*please book free ticket(s) for the children’s dance workshop in advance here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/dance-workshop-for…

#EdinWarmWelcoming

Find out other things to do over the winter: edinburgh.gov.uk/warmandwelcoming

Help and advice with the cost of living: edinburgh.gov.uk/costofliving

Come Wassailing at Granton Castle Walled Garden on Sunday 19 February

Come join us for wassailing at Granton Castle Walled Garden on the 19th February from 2 – 4pm. There will be activities, songs and refreshments all inspired by the wonderful apple trees.

Wassailing is an anglo-saxon tradition where the fruit trees are blessed with offerings of song, food and drink to encourage them to provide a bountiful harvest.

We will gather together and give the trees of our orchard a much needed cheer and scare away all of the bad spirits! Bring along some friends and family, and perhaps make yourself a lovely apple themed crown to wear.

Cash donations are appreciated but not required, if you have any questions please ask!

For details on how to find us visit our website:

https://www.grantoncastlewalledgarden.org.uk

Lights out for Lantern Led Tours at The Real Mary King’s Close

Calling all brave and curious explorers, this February The Real Mary King’s Close is shining a light (or lack of) onto Edinburgh’s history, illuminating the lives of former residents and unravelling truths about their deaths with Lantern Led Tours.

The new Lantern Led Tours are available for a limited time only during Half Term, where guests will descend into complete darkness with the only light source being the flicker of their lanterns, as they explore Edinburgh’s history.

Hidden beneath the Capital’s iconic Royal Mile, Edinburgh’s best underground experience is ready to send those daring to on a time-traveling adventure. The one hour guided tour will transport customers to another era, with eerie interactions from two insidious characters that used to strike terror into people’s hearts at their very sight.

Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “The Real Mary King’s Close is a place filled with excitement and mystery, where strange revelations of Edinburgh’s ominous past come to life. 

“We are so excited to launch our Lantern Led Tours and elevate the experience to a whole new level. This is a great activity to do with family and friends over the February holidays, so come along and find out who is the bravest of the bunch.”

The Real Mary King’s Close stands as an important part of Edinburgh’s history. It teaches following generations about the incredible struggles people faced during the plague, the extreme living conditions, and the punishing impact of social hierarchy.

The tours will be running Friday 10th to Sunday 12th February and Friday 17th to Sunday 19th February from 7pm-9pm every 15 minutes. Prices are £25 per adult / £19 per child (5 to 15yo – no under 5 allowed). 

For more information and bookings please visit: 

https://bookings.realmarykingsclose.com/book/lantern-led-tours/123

Schools: Something’s got to give (2)

EIS to escalate strikes to include targeted action

YESTERDAY, 7 February, marked one whole year since Scottish teaching unions submitted their pay claim for 2022-23 via the Scottish Negotiating Committee for Teachers (SNCT).

A year on, that pay claim remains unsettled and teachers across the country are engaged in a programme of industrial action in pursuit of a fair pay settlement.

As a result, the EIS has announced an escalation of its action to include targeted strike action in schools within the constituencies of key decision makers within the Scottish Government and COSLA.

EIS Office Bearers and other senior EIS Representatives took part in photo calls outside the Scottish Government and COSLA HQ in Edinburgh yesterday, delivering Birthday cards to mark the 1st anniversary of the teachers’ pay claim being submitted.

Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said, “It is deeply regrettable that the continuing inaction, obfuscation and spin from the Scottish Government and COSLA on teachers’ pay has led to an escalation of our programme of strike action.

“It has now been a year since our pay claim was submitted, and teachers should have had their pay rise in their pay packet last April. Instead, the Scottish Government and COSLA initially offered a pathetic 2% pay settlement – at a time when inflation was nearly four times that amount.

“Since then, the Scottish Government and COSLA have dithered, delayed and dragged their feet while the cost of living has continued to soar.”

Ms Bradley added, “The latest offer, for a well-below inflation 5%, has now been kicking around for six months and has been rejected by Scotland’s teachers twice. Our members have already taken part in three days of national strike action, and a further 16-days of rolling action across the country.

“The response from the Scottish Government and COSLA has been, essentially, nil – and this now has forced an escalation in our action. The offer of a 9% real-terms pay cut, which is what is on the table, will never be acceptable.”

The escalation of action means that, in addition to 2 days of national strike action already called for 28th February and 1st March, and a 20 further days of rolling strikes across all local authority areas from 13th March until 21st April, there will be targeted action in the constituencies of the First Minister, Deputy First Minster, Cabinet Secretary for Education, and COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann.

Scottish Greens Education Spokesperson Ross Greer’s East Dunbartonshire constituency area will also be targeted.

EIS members in four of these five areas will be called out on three consecutive days from Wednesday, 22nd February – Friday, 24th February inclusive.

All five areas will be targeted for a further three days of action from Tuesday, 7th March. Precise details of the schools involved in this action on the relevant dates will be published shortly.

Further periods of targeted action are likely, if no new pay offer is forthcoming.

Family Fun Day at Drumbrae Library

SATURDAY 18th FEBRUARY 10.30am – 2pm

MORE THINGS!!! MORE THINGS!!! MORE THINGS!!!

On Saturday 18th Feb we are gonna be EVEN MORE Family Fun than usual!

We will have BOOKBUG, with a visit from the Bug of the Book themselves, a SLIME WORKSHOP, you can make your own BADGE, there will be LIVE MUSIC, a CRAFT event, INFO POINTS from several local organizations, plues TEA & BISCUITS!!!

It’s always, all is completely free, all you need to do is show up between 10.30am and 2pm and have a ball!!

Tell a friend, bring two friends, make three friends on the day!!

Charity trading arm joins big names in awards line-up

A charity’s trading arm is earning a national reputation for delivering practical support to the growing numbers of people in need of emergency assistance across the UK.

Local authorities, charities and housing associations are increasingly turning to Family Fund Business Services to provide them with cost-effective and easy access to thousands of essential products including white goods, furniture, energy vouchers, cash and food vouchers. These are then dispatched to people, including veterans and refugees, struggling financially to meet their most basic needs.

This rising reputation for trusted expertise and a focus on customer service as they deliver this support, has led to Family Fund Business Services being shortlisted for a top national award.

It is the only social enterprise to make the grade in the UK Customer Satisfaction Awards as a trusted quality provider- alongside corporate household names such as IBM, Next and Suzuki GB.

The awards event on 7 March is one of the most prestigious for customer service excellence across all industries in the UK.

Family Fund Business Services was established to generate additional funding for its parent charity Family Fund, the UK’s largest grant-making charity for families with disabled and seriously ill children, on low income.

Family Fund supports families with grants for essential items such as kitchen appliances, clothing, bedding, sensory toys, computers and tablets, much-needed family breaks and more.

Last year, the charity provided over 170,919 grants and services worth over £37 million to families across the UK. 

Now in its tenth year, Family Fund Business Services, which gifts 100% of its profits to Family Fund, has generated over £9 million in total from its expertise in procuring essential goods on behalf of over 40 organisations.

Phil Henderson, Director of Family Fund Business Services, said: “Our clients include local authorities and major national charities supporting people in the greatest need. 

“The fact they choose us again and again to procure and supply urgently-required essential goods such as beds and cookers, demonstrates their trust in us and the quality of our service. 

“Once they work with us they stay with us – and recommend us to others. We are therefore extremely pleased to be in the shortlist for this top customer service award as a trusted provider.

“We really care about how we look after our customers and the people who receive the goods and services we provide, and we measure this every year through a customer survey. 

“It’s great that these measures are confirmed by this external nomination for an award, and a real honour for an organisation of our size to be alongside the household names that are also on the shortlist.”

The value of grants fulfilled by Family Fund Business Services for clients in the last financial year (2021-22) was over £75M, more than triple the value delivered in 2019-20.

Home-Start Hampshire:

“We would thoroughly recommend working with FFBS as we have found the relationship to be invaluable in running our project, helping us distribute support to families across Hampshire.”

North Yorkshire County Council Local Assistance Fund:

“… above and beyond every time ….so proud of what we have able to do together for … those in North Yorkshire that need this support the most. Wonderfully efficient and hardworking dedicated team to the cause.”

Phil Henderson added: “Our unique business model means that we deliver social value twice over – our profits extend Family Fund’s vital grant-giving and at the same time our expertise with securing value-for-money contracts with suppliers, helps to extend the funding of other organisations. They can, then, help even more people facing hardship.

“What emerges from this is a unique model that drives real social change through collaborative working.”

Deadline looms for School Age Payment

Families urged to make sure they don’t miss out

Parents and guardians who get qualifying benefits or tax credits and who have a child born between 1 March 2017 and 28 February 2018 are being urged to check whether they should apply for Best Start Grant School Age Payment as this year’s deadline approaches. 

Applications for the one-off payment of £267.65 per child, which can be used for books, bags, clothes and equipment for school, have to be submitted by midnight on the 28 February closing date. 

The Scottish Government introduced automatic payments for Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment in November 2022. Parents and guardians who get Scottish Child Payment will get School Age Payment automatically when their child reaches eligibility and within the School Age Payment window of 1 June to 28 February.

There are some people who don’t qualify for Scottish Child Payment that could be eligible for School Age Payment, including those who get housing benefit.

There may be others who choose not to apply for Scottish Child Payment who can still apply for School Age Payment. There are also parents and guardians who opted out of automatic payments so they could have more control around when they receive this money. All of these people are being urged to check if they could be due School Age Payment and to apply if they do.  

Statistics last week revealed that more than £105.8 million has been paid by Social Security Scotland in the Best Start group of payments – which also includes Pregnancy and Baby Payment and Early Learning Payment. 

Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson said: “If you have a child in the family aged five, or who turns five this month, then you could be eligible for School Age Payment. 

“We are making it easier than ever to apply but we still ask people to check and make sure they know what they are entitled to.

“The Best Start Grant payments, which include School Age Payment, were the first three of our five family payments to be introduced.

“To date we’ve provided more than £100 million across these three payments.

“Making these payments automatic, where we have the information to do so, will enable us to get this money to families at key stages in their child’s development and when they may face additional costs.”