Glasgow schools are opening during the summer holidays to provide meals and activities for children.

From today until July 29, Dalmarnock and Ibrox primaries will serve lunchtime meals and offer activities to local children, parents and guardians who live in the local community. 

It marks the launch of national charity Children in Scotland’s Food, Families, Futures (FFF) programme, which is working with communities to ensure families can access food and related support when they need to.

The project, announced last December, was created in response to schools reporting that many families faced severe difficulties during holiday periods, when free school meal entitlement ends or is not enough to rely on.

Children in Scotland chief executive Jackie Brock said: “This project is aboutschools doing what they do best at the absolute heart of their communities, being proactive, accessible and responding to local need.

Dalmarnock and Ibrox have refused to see the holiday period as any barrier to fulfilling the vital role they play in supporting children and families. 

“It’s also testament to the great commitment of an array of local organisations that are helping to deliver the Food, Families, Futures programme on the ground in a way that best suits these local communities.”

In Glasgow, 38.8 per cent of primary school pupils and 29.8 per cent of secondary pupils, are in receipt of free school meals, with Ibrox and Dalmarnock primaries having among the highest rates of entitlement in Scotland. 

The heads of both schools believe the programme will offer substantial and meaningful help to families over the summer.

Dalmarnock Primary headteacher Nancy Clunie said: “We know that some of the families in our community can need extra support during the holidays, particularly families who in term time are entitled to free school meals. We are delighted that what is going to be on offer at Dalmarnock includes not only a free meal, but the chance to feel supported, be involved in activities and get together with other local families.”

The project at Dalmarnock is a partnership between a number of agencieswith PEEK, Thriving Places and the North East Health Improvement team of Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership, with additional support from Clyde Gateway.

Ibrox Primary headteacher Fiona Young said: “Ibrox’s Summer Holiday Club will be a focal point in the community throughout July and an opportunity for children to build on their school learning about healthy diets and lifestyles. It also means our children and families can have a delicious lunch every weekday and take part in a great range of activities including art and craft, football, dancing and trips away.”