Cost of Living Support

This page is designed to share information that may be helpful to all our families at Prae Wood. It can sign post you to various resources that are available and we update it regularly with information that we receive. Please consider visiting our Wellbeing Page and Community Events and Family Resources page for further access to  all kinds of support  

ST ALBANS AND DISTRICT FOODBANK

ARE YOU STRUGGLING TO MEET INCREASING FOOD COSTS EACH WEEK?

Please ask at the office or email Head@praewood.herts.sch.uk

All enquiries will be treated in confidence

A voucher issued here can be used at any of the Foodbanks in St Albans (Dagnall Street, Cottonmill, New Greens), Wheathampstead, Harpenden, London Colney and Redbourn

There are CAB advisors at each centre to offer further support

Sustainable School Shop

Please visit our School Uniform page, or the PWSA page to find out how to source items of second hand uniform. Sales are held at events throughout the year and help is offered if particular items are needed at other times.

The KIT School Uniform Shop at the Vineyard Church also holds new and pre-loved branded uniform, generic uniform, school shoes, PE kits, lunch bags and other school accessories, age 3-16 years and may be able to help families source items (The Vineyard Church, St Albans, 7 Brick Knoll Park, St Albans, AL1 5UG)

Free School Meals 

Free lunches are provided for all children in the infants and for older children whose family get certain benefits. If eligible, you may also be able to apply for extra help for things like music lessons, bus and train travel. For up to date information, please visit:

www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals

Hertfordshire County Council, Help to Manage the Cost of Living

Hertfordshire County Council have produced a guide Help to Manage the Cost of Living, which includes links to Herts Help, Help for Households and Citizens Advice. as well as information on money advice, energy, heating and utilities support, food support (including foodbanks), health, prescriptions and NHS treatments and support for families (including holiday activities for children. CLICK HERE to access their page.

Help with the cost of NHS Prescriptions

If you do not qualify for free NHS prescriptions, you may still be able to save money by using the Prescription Pre-Payment Certificate (PCC). The certificate covers all NHS prescriptions for a set price so, although there is an initial outlay, you can save money if you need more than three items in three months, or eleven items in twelve months. You can also check to find out if you are entitled to free prescriptions by using the eligibility checker

Childcare support www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

The Childcare Choices website brings together all the existing childcare offers in one place, so parents can get the help that fits their family. This could be through Tax-Free Childcare, 30 Hours Childcare, or Universal Credit Childcare. Some families might be eligible to use more than one childcare scheme together and get the most out of it.

And from next year even more help is on the way:

• From April 2024, eligible working parents in England with children aged 2 will have access to 15 hours childcare.

• From September 2024, the 15 hours childcare offer will be expanded to eligible working parents in England with children between 9 and 23 months old.

• From September 2025, eligible working parents in England with children between 9 months up to school age will have access to 30 hours childcare.