Food help offered to pregnant women and families

Families can get a card loaded with money which can be used to get food and milk from Springbank Community Food Pantry

Pregnant women and parents to young children struggling with the cost of living are being encouraged to accept help to buy healthy food and formula.

The Healthy Start Scheme, which has recently launched at the Springbank Community Food Pantry in Cheltenham, aims to support pregnant women and families with children under four who qualify for benefits.

Eligible families would receive a credited Healthy Start card that can be used at various UK shops and the Springbank Community Food Pantry.

Councillor Victoria Atherstone said only 60% of eligible Cheltenham families had signed up to the scheme.

'Healthy food'

"The Healthy Start Scheme ensures that expectant mothers and families with young children have access to healthy food and formula, particularly for those who really need this support," said Ms Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities at Cheltenham Borough Council.

"We hope that by making this scheme available at the Springbank Community Food Pantry, we will be able to reach more families and ensure they have access to healthy food.

Cheltenham Borough Council, Feed Cheltenham, Feeding Gloucestershire, Aspire foundation, Springbank Community Group, and John Lewis worked together to bring the national scheme to Cheltenham.

Faith Rooke-Matthews, director of operations at Springbank Community Group CiC, said: “We are delighted to introduce this scheme into our pantry, helping our local community to access healthy food.

"We’d like to thank Feed Cheltenham and Feeding Gloucestershire, who were fundamental in getting this scheme started alongside No Child Left Behind.

"This would not have been possible without their support.”

Parents can find out if they are eligible for the scheme by visiting the NHS Healthy Start website.