Support for Parents

Cost of living support and resources from Manchester City Council

• Manchester’s FREE Cost of Living Advice Line: Support and advice about benefits, rent, debt, bills, food support and help to get online (support to access the internet, laptops, phones and data). The advice line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm on 0800 023 2692. You can speak to someone about the support that is available. You can also text on 07860 022 876 or visit gov.uk/coladvice
• Manchester’s web page for help with the cost-of-living crisis: A comprehensive guide to the financial help and practical support available to Manchester residents
• Local help and support; Information about support and advice in your local area
• Manchester’s web page for those in financial difficulty: Providing information on housing/council tax, FSM, and fuel, travel and cash grants, furniture and white goods
• Free SIMS/internet data for those eligible
• Help with internet use, digital inclusion and use of computers in our libraries
• Governments Help for Households campaign
• Social Tariffs: Information about low-cost broadband/phone service packages, for those on low incomes.

HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES – February Half Term – For Parents & Carers

February Half Term is fast approaching. MCRactive and Manchester City Council are offering thousands of FREE places for children eligible for benefits-related free school meals. Activities will range from Sport and Physical Activities, Arts and Crafts and much more. In addition to the activities, their booked place will include a FREE meal during the day.

For more information & to book your child’s space*:

You will need to sign up for an MCRactive Go account at https://www.mcractive.com/ (sign in) to book free February Half Term activities.

Once signed up, log into your account – Find Activities – Search by Category ‘MCR Holiday Activity’.

Use code: 79112 to book free eligible activities.

*Please only book your child onto a holiday camp if they will be attending. Spaces at each camp are limited. If you book a space and your child can no longer attend, please cancel your space as far in advance as possible, to allow the opportunity for another child to take their space at the activity and free meal.
Kind Regards
MCRactive

FoodCycle Levenshulme

FoodCycle Levenshulme welcomes anyone to attend as a guest and enjoy a FREE hot meal. No need to book. Just turn up on the day!

More information can be found by clicking here.

Helping Hands
The following guide provides help and advice with:

• Redundancy/Finding work
• Struggling to pay mortgage/Rent
• Claiming benefits
• Debt, bills or borrowing
• Your health and well-being.

CORONAVIRUS

Department for Education Coronavirus helpline

The DfE have launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:

Phone: 0800 046 8687

Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)

Coronavirus – Advice for all early years providers, schools and further education providers

The government is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus and is taking action at home and abroad.

Latest information and advice can also be found at:

https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Advice for parents/guardians

You should not be unduly worried about the possibility of your children catching the Coronavirus.

There is no reason why your children should not continue to attend their early years, school or further education setting as normal.

We recognise that some families or children may have travelled near some of the countries and regions identified during the half term period. If so, please refer to the FCO’s latest travel advice via the link above.

What action you can take?

A UK wide campaign has been launched to provide clear advice on how to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

Please help to support the campaign which promotes basic hygiene practices, such as regularly washing hands and always sneezing into a tissue, to stem the spread of viruses.

For the latest information about coronavirus, please click here.