Lockdown lunches and fun activities keep children entertained in Chelmsford over Easter.
Kids Inspire’s Lunch Club programme delivered 160 lunches to 22 low-income families or to families whose children may be experiencing emotional and behavioural difficulties during Easter.
Over three days in the school holidays, nutritious lunches and artistic wellbeing related activities were hand delivered by dedicated volunteers to families and children living across Chelmsford.
The first drop-off included a tasty lunch provided by Abigail’s Deli in Ingatestone and a selection of Easter art crafts donated by New Hall Voluntary Service.
Giving children the supplies to engage with artistic creativity is a large motivation behind the Lunch Club programme.
The second Easter delivery included a crate full of fresh fruit and vegetables that were generously contributed free of charge by Maldon Fruit Supplies and Easter eggs which were supplied by Noble Recruiting, based in Wickford and the students and staff of St Cedds School in Chelmsford.
The final day was themed around the idea that “Good friends are like stars, you don’t always see them, but you know you’re always there.” Alongside some star themed therapeutic art activities, families received lavender sleep bags, lovingly created by a loyal Kids Inspire volunteer, Liz.
A Lunch Club recipient had this to say about the impact the deliveries have on their lives:
“Lunch Club has been particularly amazing during lockdown. It was so helpful being able to give the children a prepared healthy lunch. Healthy foods always seem to be more expensive. The lunches helped me out massively financially and it was always lovely to meet a friendly face delivering the food.”
Another parent had this to say about the activities included in the pack:
“Lunch Club has really helped my family as it gives them something to look forward to and something they can do together. As we can’t go out at the moment it’s something different to break up the normal routine of the day.”
Vicky Haylock, Head of Operations at Kids Inspire explains the importance of the Lunch Club programme:
“Lunch Club is important for lots of reasons, the social aspect, for the healthy balanced lunch, and for the activities designed by our qualified therapeutic team to help give parents a break during the holidays.”
