An update from Feeding Birkenhead

Birkenhead once again led the country’s efforts to prevent children being hungry during the six-week summer holiday. Over 1,100 children benefitted from the programme of free meals and activities provided by Feeding Birkenhead. And the programme continues to build up a head of steam.

Added to our regular programme over the summer was a truly inspirational Assistant Headteacher, Louisa Blake, who took it upon herself to prepare lunches for 150 children every day, mainly in the North End.

Feeding Birkenhead is now seeking to help Louisa, who is such an entrepreneurial individual, extend her holiday lunch service across town.

Likewise, The Hive has now thrown its weight behind Feeding Birkenhead’s programme. It will, on the back of a grant awarded by Medicash, be trialling free meals and activities for some children on low incomes during the October half term, with a view to offering this service permanently in every school holiday. 

It is, of course, shameful that the need for this programme exists in modern Britain.

One Feeding Birkenhead project operating in parts of Prenton and Rock Ferry commented how its staff, ‘have reported many children coming into the [project] hungry, not expecting to receive any food and being really excited and grateful when they are given breakfast and then more food later on. Many children would ask for second helpings, particularly of the breakfast cereal.’ 

But as another of our projects noted, the holidays are ‘an expensive time for families. This isn’t just the provision of food but also activities. Our aim is not to just offer families food provision but to provide a fun, family orientated affordable summer for families.’

The impact of our programme on children’s wellbeing was shared by one parent, who said their son, ‘loved knowing he could come in for breakfast and have a chat and play games. He made new friends and helped out setting up for activities.’

So not only will Feeding Birkenhead be offering this service on every day of the October half term – the timetable is included below – but I am also continuing to gain support in Parliament for a Bill I have drawn up to ensure no child goes hungry in the holidays. 127 MPs from all parties have so far signed up to sponsor the Bill. I am hopeful that both Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn will add their names, ahead of its key debate in January.

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Might I please share with readers an announcement made regarding the Prenton Dell Post Office?

The Post Office is being refurbished between 31st October and 17th November, so it can remain open for longer and offer more services, and the nearest ones in the meantime will be at:

Townfield Lane Post Office, Edwards at Townfield, 26 Townfield Close, Noctorum, Birkenhead, CH43 9JW
Arrowe Park Post Office, 43-47 Fleetcroft Road, Arrowe Park, Wirral, CH49 5LZ

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Monday 23rd October

Free Breakfast Club
9.30am – 11am
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, [email protected], 0151 670 9974

Free Play Scheme, followed by hot lunch
10am – 2pm
Bebington Youth Club, Cornwell Close, New Ferry, CH62 1BG
Bev Peters, Wirral Play Council, 0151 650 0030

Family Lunch
11.30am-12.30pm
Beaconsfield Community House, Beaconsfield Close, Rock Ferry, CH42 3YN
Ema Wilkes, [email protected], 07447 913 888

Junior Club at the Dolly
4.30pm – 6pm
Charing Cross Methodist Church, 273 Claughton Road, Birkenhead, CH41 6EX
Rev. Steve Carpenter, [email protected], 0151 678 6395

Monday Club (crafts, cooking, games and lunch for under-11s, 50p)
Midday – 1.30pm
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, [email protected], 0151 670 9974

Tuesday 24th October

Free Breakfast Club
9.30am – 11am
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, [email protected], 0151 670 9974

Free Play Scheme, followed by hot lunch
10am – 2pm
Bebington Youth Club, Cornwell Close, New Ferry, CH62 1BG
Bev Peters, Wirral Play Council, 0151 650 0030

Library Crafts with toast and juice
10am – Midday
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, [email protected], 0151 670 9974

Kids Eat Free at the Drop-In Café
10:30am – 1pm
Rock Ferry Salvation Army, 179 Old Chester Road, Birkenhead, CH42 3TA
Dominic Eaton, [email protected], 0151 645 3431

Beaconsfield Breakfast followed by Kids Club, Arts, Gardening and Community Open Space projects
10.30am – 2.30pm
Beaconsfield Community House, Beaconsfield Close, Rock Ferry, CH42 3YN
Ema Wilkes, [email protected], 07447 913 888


Wednesday 25th October

Free Breakfast Club
9.30am – 11am
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, [email protected], 0151 670 9974

Free Play Scheme, followed by hot lunch
10am – 2pm
Bebington Youth Club, Cornwell Close, New Ferry, CH62 1BG
Bev Peters, Wirral Play Council, 0151 650 0030

Beaconsfield Play and Hot Food
10.30am – 2.30pm
Beaconsfield Community House, Beaconsfield Close, Rock Ferry, CH42 3YN
Ema Wilkes, [email protected], 07447 913 888

Halloween Family Bingo
4pm – 5.30pm
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, [email protected], 0151 670 9974

Thursday 26th October

Free Breakfast Club
9.30am – 11am
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, [email protected], 0151 670 9974

Beaconsfield Play and Hot Food
10.30am – 2.30pm
Beaconsfield Community House, Beaconsfield Close, Rock Ferry, CH42 3YN
Ema Wilkes, [email protected], 07447 913 888

Friday 27th October

Free Breakfast Club
9.30am – 11am
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, [email protected], 0151 670 9974

Open Play with Lunch
Midday – 2pm
St James Centre, 344 Laird Street, Birkenhead, CH41 7AL
Eve Barrett, [email protected], 0151 670 9974
The ‘School Holiday Meals and Fun’ project will start at The Hive for the half term holiday club on Monday 23rd – Friday 27th October, and will then be rolled out across subsequent school holiday periods. For more information about free places and meals, please contact Adam Mellor, Head of Youth Work at The Hive at [email protected]