By Isle of Wight Observer
If you’re feeling stressed out with the cost of the festive season coming up, support is available across the Island to help.
Find out more about Christmas holiday activities for children who receive free school meals at iow.life/holidayactivities, with some paid-for places also available.
There are different activities for all ages, including teens. Everyone who goes along gets a nutritious meal during the day.
There’s also a network of more than 50 Warm Welcome Spaces, that offer warmth, friendship and other support. Each Warm Welcome Space is different; you can find one near you via iow.life/warmspaces.
Community pantries and larders, supported by the UK Government’s Household Support Fund, are available for everyone. Become a member and, for £5 a week, you can top up your weekly shop with groceries worth at least £15; you don’t need to be on benefits. Find your nearest one at iow.life/communitypantries.
For information about keeping warm, claiming benefits and more, see iow.life/costofliving.
And there’s the chance to win an extra helping hand with your Christmas shopping with the Isle of Wight Council, which is running a prize draw with five £50 supermarket vouchers as prizes. Just answer five maths questions and be in with a chance to win. The competition closes on Monday (December 4). Enter at iow.live/festivedraw.