VOUCHERS worth more than £800,000 are being handed to vulnerable Cheshire East families to pay for essentials such as food and heating this winter.

Cheshire East Council – with the help of schools, colleges and other family support services – is distributing vouchers worth £880,000 on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions.

The money is the borough's share of a £170 million Covid Winter Grant Scheme from the Government, which is available from now until the end of March 2021.

More than 11,000 children and young people have already been identified by the council and will receive their vouchers over the next few weeks.

Professionals are also able to request support for families that need it, and any families that are in need are asked to speak to someone they are working with such as a GP, teacher or support worker.

Families may also be eligible for support through free school meals which can be applied for online at cheshireeast.gov.uk/fsm

Cllr Kathryn Flavell, CEC cabinet member for children and families, said: “We recognise that this is an extremely difficult time for our most vulnerable children and families and these vouchers will go some way help put food on the table and pay for other essentials over the winter months.

Knutsford Guardian:

“Using this fund, the Department for Work and Pensions has allowed us to directly offer swift support to over 11,000 children living in vulnerable households across Cheshire East who have suffered financial hardship due to Covid, ensuring that no child goes hungry and that they can be kept warm and safe.

“We, together with our schools, colleges, early years providers, and other partners, know which groups are in most need and the vouchers will be distributed directly to those families who have been identified.

“My pledge is that we will work together with the local community and businesses to maximise the help that is available, ensuring that we respect families’ right to have choice and offer directly the most practical help that they will need over the coming months.

“If any family with children finds themselves in need, I urge you apply for free school meals or speak to a trusted professional.’’

For more information on the scheme visit cheshireeast.gov.uk/covidwintergrant

Emergency help is also available from foodbanks, including Middlewich and District Foodbank, and Hampers of Hope in Knutsford and Wilmslow.