Council bosses are praising faith and community groups for the ongoing support they are giving to families and vulnerable people in the run up to and over half-term.

While the authority has already pledged to support all eligible children on free school meals over the February half-term through its winter grant fund, it is also working with a range of voluntary groups to provide further support for those in need.

The council contributed £10,600 to 10 organisations to help families over Christmas and into January supporting more than 3,635 people over a six week period.

Organisations provided a range of support, both practical and pastoral, including  food parcels, fresh fruit and veg, delivering hot meals with the opportunity for a chat on the doorstep, craft activities for children and online activity clubs and wellbeing and exercise videos.

The council has now managed to secure an additional £20,174 to support organisations to continue their work until the end of March. It also wants to highlight organisations, faith groups or community volunteers who are continuing this valuable work over February half-term and will be using the hashtag #HalfTermHeroes on its social media channels to recognise and celebrate people supporting their communities. Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children’s services, said:

"While we will continue to roll out lunches to children on our free school meals programme, I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to support these groups to provide additional support for vulnerable people and those in need.

"The work they are doing is just amazing. They don’t do it for praise or recognition, but because of their care and compassion for the community. Being hands and feet to those most in need, by bringing not just food and support, but hope too. They carry on this charitable work all year round and I’m just glad we’ve been able to source this additional funding to help them to continue their excellent work.

"But we know there are many more organisations supporting their communities and we’d love for them to tag us in on any of their social media activity using #halftermheroes to share their stories."

To find out more about the organisations who have helped or to find where to get support visit dudleyconnect.com.