Food Related Benefits Package launches in Cardiff and the Vale
A digital resource has recently been published on the Move More Eat Well website in a bid to increase awareness and uptake of food related benefits.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s local public health and dietetics teams have been working in partnership to highlight the different food related benefit schemes available across Wales, bringing them together in this new digital package.
With the support of Food Cardiff – the city’s local food partnership – the teams collaborated to create this important resource as a way to share information with frontline staff and to equip them with the confidence needed to encourage families to access what they are entitled to.
“Even though there are many schemes and packages available to support families on low incomes across Wales to access healthy food – including Free School Meals and Food and Fun – a review into the uptake of Healthy Start Vouchers locally in Cardiff showed a lack of awareness of the scheme among eligible families as well as among many of the frontline staff who support them,” says Helen Griffith, Senior Health Promotion Specialist, Cardiff and Vale UHB Local Public Health Team.
“This new resource outlines the different schemes available in Wales and clearly explains what the scheme is, who is eligible, how families can access the scheme, and why it’s important,” adds Helen, who’s been leading on the development of this resource. “Users can also can also find information on some of the fantastic food projects that offer families much needed support.”
As well as being a valuable tool for those working in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan, and those with an interest in community work, this digital package is also relevant to people working across Wales.
“We would like to thank the Healthy and Active Branch at Welsh Government, Food Sense Wales, Food Cardiff, Food Vale and Cardiff Council’s Money Advice Service for their involvement in putting the digital Food Related Benefit package together,” continues Helen. “This is a really important tool which I’m hoping will help inform frontline staff in Cardiff and the Vale, as well as those working across Wales, about the food related benefits available to eligible families.”
For further information, please contact Helen Griffith, Senior Health Promotion Specialist, Cardiff and Vale UHB Local Public Health Team.
