27-04-2025
Glasgow groups to benefit from holiday hunger programme
A report was presented on Thursday morning to members of the city administration committee (CAC), who agreed to fund 59 out of the 79 applications for the scheme.
During the CAC, it was confirmed that 48 of these groups have been successful in their funding bid in the past, while 11 others were new.
Glasgow's Holiday Programme provides funding to organisations to deliver a programme of engagement, activities and nutritious food to Glasgow's nursery, primary and secondary pupils up to 18 years old during school holiday periods.
The project aims to complement existing activities by third sector organisations, with the majority of allocated funding going towards food costs.
Councillors asked what engagement would be carried out to ensure that those unsuccessful organisations would still be supported, as well as reassurance that healthy food was available.
Councillor Bill Butler said: 'What evaluation is undertaken to ensure that providers have delivered on outcomes and what support is being provided to the 20 organisations that were unsuccessful this year?'
Councillor Ricky Bell, depute leader of Glasgow City Council, said: 'Officers do site visits to some of the projects and I have been on a few of them with officers myself and it is a really uplifting experience to see the difference that makes to many of the young people in the city.
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'In terms of the unsuccessful organisations, we always go back to them and talk to them about why they weren't successful and where the challenges were in terms of some of the reports they have given.
'We have to accept that often, these organisations are people who have submitted perfectly good applications, it is just that when you get so far down the list you run out of money and obviously we would love to be in a position where we could fund all of these organisations but the money is limited.
'It's about looking at the 10 wards that have the highest levels of poverty and making sure we are supporting as many organisations in those wards.'
Councillor Soryia Siddique asked what steps were being taken to ensure healthy meals were offered during the holiday season.
Councillor Siddique said: 'I would like to ask about the type of foods that are available. There is a correlation between healthy food, concentration, mood and attainment.
'To what extent is that a condition of the grant and how it is monitored.'
Councillor Bell informed members that they tried to ensure healthy eating as much as they could.
He said: 'It is a fickle balance to get right because a lot of the young people don't desperately want to have healthy food.
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'We try and make that as available as we can but we do allow some flexibility to have a bit of treats if you want to call it that.
'Where it is relevant, we also try to have culturally sensitive food as that is obviously a big part of some parts of the city. There has to be a strong element of healthy food and we do monitor that.'
Following the meeting the depute leader and treasurer, Glasgow City Council said he was delighted to have joined forces with third sector organisations.
Councillor Bell said: 'Once again, our families across the city will benefit from more than £2 million investment in Glasgow's Holiday Programme over the next three school holiday periods during summer, October, and spring.
'I am delighted that we have joined forces with third sector organisations to deliver activities and nutritious food and snacks to children aged 0 – 18 years in every council ward.
'Last summer, more than 21,000 children and young people benefited, and we have used data to boost the offer in 10 wards where the need is greatest.
'In the last seven years, almost 3.5 million meals, snacks and food parcels have been served by working in partnership with organisations, and I am delighted that we have funded an additional 11 partners.
'Our holiday programme is a lifeline to many of our families and I am heartened that we are able to deliver this offer again to support our families.'
Details of all successful organisations can be found on the council website at
