DOZENS of pupils from a Kidderminster school benefited from a free hot meal as part of a summer holiday project to support poor families.

St Mary’s CofE Primary School opened its doors for two days during the break to help struggling families and their children as part of its Eat 236 initiative.

Almost half the intake have free school meals and the school secured funding from the Big Local DY10 to run the project over three years.

A total of 97 people attended with 67 enjoying a freshly cooked hot meal. Families also had the opportunity to sit and eat a hot meal together as well as playing games and taking part in craft activities.

St Mary’s support worker Hayley Doyle said the aim of the project was to reduce holiday isolation and anxieties and support pupils to be physically and mentally ready for school as well as easing the financial burden on families receiving universal credit.

She said: “We came up with the idea to serve a hot meal to all pupils and parent/carers as we have a large proportion that are free school meals.

“A lot of our families are in receipt of the new universal credit and do struggle financially.

“We also wanted an opportunity to see our children and their families as a way to reduce some of the anxieties and hopefully be more mentally and physically ready for school.”

She added that they had received positive parent and child feedback about the benefits of the project.