Councillor funds free breakfast service for families

Lisa and daughter Rae-Ann enjoyed the food and the chance to meet other families

Families struggling with the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis over the summer have been offered a weekly free breakfast service funded by a councillor.

Alexandra Kemp, an independent on the Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk, has paid for breakfasts, which are available from a café in King's Lynn Baptist Church.

Support such as free school meals stops during schools' six-week summer break. Norfolk County Council provides a monthly £15 voucher per eligible child, but families have said that only covers some of the extra cost.

Ms Kemp said: "If we don't do enough for young people to bring them up now, we'll be laying up problems for the future."

Alexandra Kemp says there is a huge demand for help in South Lynn

The breakfast service has cost about £500 to run over the six-week summer break.

Ms Kemp said many families in the area who rely on universal credit were larger, so have been affected by the two-child benefit cap.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has refused to commit to reversing the policy, which was introduced under the previous Conservative government in 2017.

Ms Kemp added: "These young people are going to be our future nurses and doctors. They're going to look after us in hospital and be the teachers.

"If we don't do enough for young people to bring them up now, we'll be laying up problems for the future."

'Hardships'

Lisa Calvert and her 11-year-old daughter Rae-Ann, was one family that enjoyed the free breakfasts.

"I had a pain au chocolat and beans on toast. It was really nice."

Ms Calvert, who lives in the South Lynn area of the town, also enjoyed the chance to connect with other parents.

"We as a family have had quite a few hardships, but it's a case of tightening your belt and getting on with it."

Rev June Love says the church is looking to expand the service

Reverend June Love has been helping to offer the weekly breakfasts at the Cornerstone Café, which is part of King's Lynn Baptist Church.

She emphasised that people of all faiths and none are very welcome, and no-one has to provide any proof of having a low income or being on benefits to access the meals.

"We just came up with this idea of how can we support these families? How can we be there for them?"

"We haven't had good weather this summer, so [if] you try and take the kids out anywhere and you're paying for somewhere - you can't just take them to the park."

'More donations'

The breakfast food includes fresh fruit, hot options such as beans on toast and some treats too.

While Ms Kemp has paid for the breakfasts over summer, Rev Love said that more donors have come forward to help them continue and potentially expand the service.

"I've had people phoning up I've had more donations coming in from the public. I've had cheques and cash too," she added.