Marcus Rashford has called on health sector workers to help spread the word about food vouchers after it was revealed that more than 40% of those eligible have not signed up.
The government’s Healthy Start scheme entitles some parents on welfare benefits to claim free food vouchers which can be exchanged for items such as milk, infant formula, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
The scheme applies to parents who have at least one child under four or who have been pregnant for 10 weeks or more.
But Rashford says that thousands are still missing out on the vouchers – which are worth £4.25 weekly – due to living in areas with lower rates of social interaction or lack of internet access.
Now, the footballer is asking healthcare professionals to use their positions to help highlight the Healthy Start scheme.
In an open letter published in the British Medical Journal, Rashford writes: “Since November 2020, members of the Child Food Poverty Taskforce have used their channels and platforms to communicate about the Healthy Start scheme and to tell people how to access it, with the hope that we will be able to reach the majority of those most in need.
“While we have seen 57,000 more parents benefit from the scheme as a result, I’m concerned we are plateauing.
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“More than 40% of those eligible for the vouchers are still not registered for the scheme, and I’m confident that the majority of these parents can be found in communities just like mine, where I grew up – no internet, no high street, no word of mouth.”
Addressing healthcare professionals directly, Rashford said: “I would very much appreciate it if you would consider collaborating with us on communicating and educating people about the scheme when possible.
Rashford’s ongoing campaign to end child poverty has seen him work with the government to create the Healthy Start scheme – with the footballer also teaming up with chef Tom Kerridge to post cook-along recipes to Instagram.
Rashford has said that increasing awareness of the Healthy Start scheme would “guarantee that all children get the best start in life.”
He added: “We need you—every single one of you—to help us reach those most in need in our communities, especially given the planned digitisation of the scheme this autumn, which will disproportionately disadvantage those without easy access to the internet.”
Featured image: Wikipedia
Manchester
There’s a HUGE retro vintage and vinyl fair heading to Urmston
Thomas Melia
A fair dedicated to all things vintage and vinyl is making its way over to Urmston this weekend, packed with lots of unique stalls and vendors.
Whether you’re after another leather jacket to add to your collection or hunting down a rare LP, this event covers all bases.
The ‘So Retro Vintage & Vinyl Fair’ is coming back to Urmston for 2025 and is a must-visit for any fans of vintage clothing, record collectors and anyone after a fun day out in Greater Manchester.
This unique day-long fair is returning to The Venue, one of Urmston’s large event spaces, this weekend.
There’ll be 25 independent traders and shoppers with everything from retro homeware to jewellery and accessories.
Anyone thinking of attending this vintage fair will be greeted with plenty of cute and quirky gift ideas, perfect for yourself or that one friend who is living their best retro lifestyle.
Grab a bargain and a snazzy new addition for your wardrobe at Urmston’s vintage fair. Rare pieces and interesting vinyl finds on hand at the vintage fair in Urmston.Credit: Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
Alongside the stalls selling vintage goodies this year brings the arrival of all-new craft workshops, where visitors will be able to make and create retro lampshades or a tealight lantern with all materials provided.
These exciting classes will be ran by none other than creative mastermind Sarah from The Gingham Flamingo, a company which sells lots of fascinating handmade fabric garments.
After all that vintage retail therapy, ‘So Retro Vintage & Vinyl Fair’ is treating you to some lovely ways to soak up the atmosphere even more with a vintage bar, street food vendors and barista -style coffee cart.
Michelle Barratt, founder of So Retro Events. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to discover hidden treasure and soak up the retro atmosphere, and we’re very excited to bring interactive workshops to our even for the first time!”
There will be plenty of quirky pieces to add to your wardrobe.Lots of friendly faces and unique vintage finds in Urmston this weekend.Credit: Publicity Pictures (via Supplied)
So if you’re a lover of all things vintage or just fancy a different kind of day out, head over to Urmston this weekend and get ready to step back in time.
The ‘So Retro Vintage & Vinyl Fair’ is coming to Urmston on Saturday 26 April from 10am to 3pm and all you have to do is pay a small fee of £2 on the door upon arrival. The workshops are an additional £20.
Featured Image: Publicity Picture (via Supplied)
Manchester
First look at The Cut & Craft as magnificent new steak restaurant opens
Daisy Jackson
The wait is finally over – after several years and a few million pounds, The Cut & Craft is ready to open in Manchester… and it’s worth the wait.
This magnificent newcomer, already well-loved over in Leeds, has transformed an old Grade II-listed banking hall on Mosley Street into a decadent dining room.
Here, diners will sit beneath glittering chandeliers and ornate ceilings as they feast on premium locally-reared steaks, British seafood specials and a lengthy champagne and wine list.
Specialising in steak and seafood, with in-house butchery, The Cut & Craft has invested £3.5m to reinvigorate the former Manchester and Salford bank in the city centre.
Now, this landmark Victorian building is painted in rich blues and golds, with huge windows, private dining spaces, a sommelier lounge, and even a ‘gossip room’.
The restaurant will focus on quality steak and affordable seafood, served from lunch through to the evening.
Dishes will include freshly-shucked oysters, Exmoor caviar and hand-cut beef tartare with breaded yolk and sesame croutons, plus grilled monkfish, king scallops, fish and chips, grilled lamb cutlets and a signature 10 oz flat iron steak, which is butchered by an expert team in house.
The stunning restoration project for The Cut & Craft has been carried out in collaboration with Bruntwood SciTech who have carried out a complete reimagining of the building.
Inside The Cut & Craft in Manchester
Ciara Keeling, Chief Operating Officer at Bruntwood SciTech commented: “We are thrilled to be welcoming The Cut & Craft to Bond.
“In breathing new life into this iconic building, Bruntwood SciTech have created an inspiring new workspace and leisure destination, one which deserves an exceptional hospitality operator at its heart.
“Preservation of this building’s extraordinary heritage and architecture has been front of mind throughout the whole restoration project, and the ground floor banking hall space is no exception.
“In The Cut & Craft we have found a partner that will bring quality, elegance and laid back glamour to this magnificent space, completing Bond’s status as an exciting new destination for the city centre.”
The Cut & Craft officially opens in Manchester on Monday 28 April 2025 – see more HERE.