A PILOT scheme aimed at providing meals for children in the school holidays has been hailed a success at a council scrutiny panel.


St Helens Council gave £7,500 towards the scheme which saw 19 different groups across the borough help serve up food for more than 700 children.


The scheme provided a two-course meal to children who receive a free or low cost school meal in school time, who have been found “in need”.


Several places, such as Cowley International College and St Helens Baptist Church on Hall Street, ran the initiative, serving a hot meal and then getting the children to engage in activities with volunteers.


Cllr Gill Neal, who chaired the scrutiny panel regarding the scheme, said: “Food poverty over school holiday periods is becoming an increasing concern, however the issue and the impact is much wider.


“It was evident from the people we talked to who are involved in the lunch club scheme that it has made a difference to people’s lives and is a much needed service.


“There needs to be a clear vision for the way forward and any future provision.


“Given that the pilot scheme is still in operation until April 2017 we would anticipate a greater uptake as it gets more established as word gets around.”


Of the £7,500 given by the council only £1,865 was used, which will be put back into the scheme for future initiatives.


The meeting highlighted that the stigma of receiving free food was a barrier to people utilising the service, but stated including it in a ‘Holiday Activity Club’, with the additional benefit of a free hot meal, should prevent this in the future.