Last Friday marked the last day of the hugely successful Brunch Time initiative that has been operating in Liscard and Seacombe over the summer holidays.

Based in both St Alban’s Parish Centre, Liscard, and St Joseph’s Church in Seacombe, the club has served more than 500 meals to adults and children in the six week summer holidays – a testament to their hard work and commitment.

They are now looking at expanding their provision and getting other organisations and charities involved to help feed Wallasey’s children during school holidays when free school meals are not an option for parents. If you would like to get involved, please contact me using this Facebook page.

It is a national disgrace that we have returned to child poverty and food insecurity under the Tory Government’s austerity programme. Figures released earlier this week show that 23% of parents with children aged 5-11 had skipped a meal in the past twelve months because they couldn’t afford it. Locally we have seen an increase of people using foodbanks as people struggle to cope with changes to benefits, insecure work and rising costs.

Groups like Brunch Time shouldn’t be necessary to keep families going, but they are. They offer a place for children to get a hot morning meal and a packed lunch, and a chance for parents to socialise with each other during the long summer holidays. Activities are also provided for the children to participate in. They deserve our fullest support in the work they do.