There are a number of support options available for our pupils and local families who are experiencing financial difficulties. Below is information on the support on offer from Meldrum Academy, Aberdeenshire Council, local charities and organisations, and some organisations further afield. All resources the school offer can be provided discretely.

Money Advice and Welfare Rights Team

If you live in Oldmeldrum or the surrounding area Aberdeenshire council Money Advice and Welfare Rights Team can provide free, impartial and confidential advice. Our team can help you to:

• complete benefit claim forms
• challenge a benefit decision you disagree with
• deal with some low level debts
• recommend other organisations and agencies that can also help you

If you would like to check what benefits you are entitled to, a drop in sessions will be held on a Monday commencing from the 15^th of May at 9.30am till 11.30am at the British Legion community Pantry in Oldmeldrum Market Square.

You will also be able to meet your welfare rights officer at Meldrum Academy.  Telephone appointments and home visits are also possible.

If you would like to receive support, please feel free to call in or contact your local welfare rights officer:

Neil Woodward

Money Advice and Welfare Rights Officer

Aberdeenshire Council

Tel:  01467 538981

Mobile:  07443781166

Email: neil.woodward2@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Free School Meals

Children are eligible for free school meals if their parents (or carers) are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

The qualifying benefits and allowances are:

• Income Support (IS)
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA)
• Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
• Any income related element of Employment Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not Working Tax Credit (WTC), and have an income of less than £18,725
• Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income of less than £8,717
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• Universal Credit with a monthly net pay from your employer of less than £726 (this is based on your actual net pay, not the figure determined by Universal Credit)

If you are 16-18 years old and receive any of the above qualifying benefits in your own right, you can apply for free school meals.

Please use the link to apply:  https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/school-info/assistance/free-school-meals/

Clothing Grant

A clothing grant is available through Aberdeenshire Council for a child in full time education.

You can apply for a school clothing grant if you or your family receives:

• Income Support (IS)
• Income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Any income related element of Employment and Support Allowance
• Child Tax Credit (CTC), but not Working Tax Credit, and your income is less than £18,725
• Both Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit with an income of less than £8,717
• Universal Credit with a monthly take home pay of less than £726

If you are between 16 and 18 years old and receive any of these benefits in your own right, you can apply for a school clothing grant for yourself.

Please use the link to apply: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/school-info/assistance/school-clothing-grants/

Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

EMAs give financial support to eligible 16-19 year olds. It is a weekly payment of £30, paid every two weeks.

To qualify, households with one dependent child must be earning £24,421 per year or less, and households with more than one dependent child must be earning £26,884 or less, before tax.

As well as the above, you can only qualify for EMA if you’re any one of these:

• attending school full time
• getting home education or flexi schooling
• on a full or part-time non-advanced course in a college or education centre

Please use the link to apply: https://www.mygov.scot/ema/applying-for-or-renewing-ema

Music Tuition

Aberdeenshire Council offer free music instrumental tuition for the academic year 2023/24 and most instruments can be loaned out. The instrumental music service also offers a discount to pupils purchasing new instruments.

Please use the link to apply: https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/music-lessons/music-tuition

Aberdeenshire North Foodbank

As a school we are registered with the foodbank to make referrals. The nearest foodbanks to the school are in Inverurie, Ellon and Huntley. If you would like to be referred for access to the Aberdeenshire North Foodbank, please contact Mr Pearce to discuss: rory.pearce@aberdeenshire.gov.uk.

British Royal Legion

The British Royal Legion operate the Oldmeldrum Community Pantry for those in need of food items and is open:

Monday 9.30-11.30

Wednesday and Thursday 13.00-15.00

They are run by the community, for the community and welcome volunteers and donations.

Prom Ally

Prom Ally offer prom dresses and suits on a free loan for young people who otherwise could not afford one £10 is requested to cover the cost of delivery and packaging). The young person needs to be referred to by the school. If you feel this is something you could make use of, please contact Mr Pearce to discuss: rory.pearce@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Aldi Vouchers

As a school we can provide vouchers for Aldi for families in financial need to support in the purchase of items such as:

• Groceries
• Infant formula milk
• Toiletries
• Home essentials, such as bed linen

If you feel this is something you could make use of, please contact Mr Pearce to discuss: rory.pearce@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

Storehouse Foodbank – Inverurie

Storehouse offer a mobile foodbank at Inverurie Community Campus. It is usually open from 09.45-10.45 on Sundays, but please check their facebook page for any updates: https://www.facebook.com/StorehouseInverurie/

Storehouse also offer a cuppa, cake and chat at their “Open Doors” on Tuesdays from 10.30-12.30 at the Inverurie West Church Hall.

Garioch Community Kitchen

Garioch Community Kitchen have regular courses running that focus on cooking on a budget. During the course participants will cook a meal which will be enough to feed the family and take it home to share. Please keep an eye on your child’s Microsoft Team (Meldrum Academy -Pupil Team) where this information is regularly displayed when opportunities and courses arise.

Alternatively, the website also displays information on their courses: https://gariochcommunitykitchen.org/

Home Economics – Surplus food

On rare occasions throughout the school year, food will not be used by pupils in Home Economics lessons for a variety of reasons (absence, school closure etc). This food then becomes surplus and potentially available for families in need. If you feel this is something you could make use of, please contact Mr Pearce to discuss: rory.pearce@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

School Breakfast

The canteen offer a ‘3 for £1’ breakfast with all items serves between 8.30am-8.50am. Pupils who are on Free School Meals can benefit from this offer as they can purchase a drink plus 2 food items and still have 50p left on their allowance for breaktime use.

Choose From

Toast

Beans on toast

Cereal

Bagel

Petit Pain

Piece of Fruit

Crumpet

USA Pancake

Tea/coffee

Milk

Flavoured Milk

Small Water

Basic Bank

In school we have the Basics Bank, located at the front entrance of the school by the Library entrance, that contains items such as sanitary products, toothpaste, deodorant etc. Pupils are entitled to make use of this resource should they need it, but we are also happy to supply families if the need arises. We also have previously owned school jumpers, washed and clean, if required. If you feel this is something you could make use of, please contact Mr Pearce to discuss: rory.pearce@aberdeenshire.gov.uk .

All resources the school offer can be provided discretely.