Assistance for families

MEA Community Hub incorporating the Affordable Food Club and Affordable Café available from 1st December 2022. For membership information, in the first instance, please contact MEACAS on 028 96 001 333. Website for registrations to follow.

Community Fridges

Community Fridges are a platform for sharing surplus food, they are not means tested and are open to all. Community fridges have flexible opening hours as they are subject to surplus food availability while stocks last.

Locations in the Mid and East Antrim area -

Larne – The Promenade (behind Larne Leisure Centre) Email : info@larne-area-community-support.co.uk

Carrickfergus – Eden Allotment Gardens, 42 Beltoy Road Email : Communityfridge@hotmail.com

Islandmagee – Islandmagee Community Garden, Ballystrudder Road Email : Gerbdog@gmail.com

Support for Families

Baby Banks

Baby Banks help to encourage and support those struggling with practical issues of having a new baby/toddler in the form of nappies, wipes, clothes etc. These aim to help relieve poverty, redistribute quality resources so reducing parental stress and improving the lives of children.

Baby Banks in the Mid and East Antrim Borough Council area include -

Carrickfergus Baby Bank: Open Door Center, 32 Bridewell Drive, Carrickfergus, BT38 8JW Number : 028 9335 5527 Email: info@carrickcommunitychurch.org

Children

The increased cost of living has a huge effect on families, particularly children. Increased costs can prevent some children from having the same opportunities as others which can have a physical and mental impact on children.

Below are some services which can help address these issues:

Financial help

Tax Free Child Care (NI Direct) – if you work and your children are under 12, you might be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare. This can help pay for approved childcare.

For information or advice visit - www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/help-paying-approvedchildcare

Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership This website has a range of useful information and organisations who can help.

The Cost of Living Crisis resource – click the link below - provides details of targeted resources & support for families & children struggling with the current cost of living crisis. This document is live and will be updated regularly. Cost of Living Resource – Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) (hscni.net)

Local Support -

Action for Children Larne

75 Main Street, Larne BT40 1HH 43 Fairway, Larne BT40 2BG Number : 028 2827 6044 Website : www.actionforchildren.org.uk

Sure Start Ballymena

Ballykeel Business Centre, 18 Crebilly Road, Ballymena BT42 4DN Number : 028 2564 3555

Sure Start Carrickfergus

Horizon Sure Start, c/o Sunnylands Primary School, Sandes Court Entrance, Carrickfergus, BT38 8JJ Number : 028 9335 9734

Uniform Exchange Scheme

Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Services can assist with providing most primary and secondary school uniforms, these uniforms are new or pre-loved in various sizes.

Contact Mid & East Antrim Community Advice Services (MEACAS) Number : 028 9600 1333

Education Authority - Free School Meals and Uniform Grants

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) can apply if your son or daughter is in full-time education and if you are in receipt of one of the following benefits -

 Income Support  Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance  Income Related Employment and Support Allowance  Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit  Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit with an annual taxable income of £16,190 or less