The co-founder of a Bolton homelessness charity has shared his concerns for families as the school summer holidays approach.
Billa Ahmed, co-founder of Homeless Aid UK, said more needs to be done to support those in need during the holidays with mental health rates high and the cost-of-living crisis.
He said: “Our foodbank and even our services on the soup kitchens has increased and, in the summer, if support isn’t available it is going to have a massive effect on families, especially through the summer holidays.
“The cost-of-living crisis hasn’t really gone away, the government have given small amounts of help to people but there are a lot of people there who are still needing help and what our fear is when it comes back to winter again, when people start using their utilities again the prices are so high.
"A lot of people are struggling.
“People are telling us that during the pandemic and during the increase they have got into debt, so they are still paying their debts off and so they are thinking do they pay their debts, do they choose heat or do they eat.
“Our soup kitchen is continuing to run for families, and we will continue to refer them to our food bank.
“There needs to be more support, financially and with food and the correct right food needs to be given to these people and it is such a shame.
“It puts a lot of stress on the families during the six weeks holidays, they are going to spend a lot of time at home and the food prices are ridiculous at the moment.
“Everyone is feeling the pinch and imagine if you are living below the poverty line, how bad is it going to be feeling for you, they have been feeling and they are starting to feel it even further.
“Something definitely needs to be done and the prices definitely need to be looked at again to try and bring these prices down.
“We are really hearing how mental health is high, amongst the youngsters as well and families and there is a lot that needs to be done moving forward.”
Bolton charity Urban Outreach will be supplying free lunches to children across the borough.
Their service will be aimed at children and young people aged between four and 18 and packed lunches can be collected at a number of locations.
For more information about the free lunches, go to https://www.boltonathome.org.uk/bolton-at-home-news/free-activities-and-food-offers-for-you-and-yours-during-the-summer-holidays-2023-5827/
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