Thousands of families across Stockport are set to receive vital support from the local council this Christmas to cover the cost of their food and utility bills.
Stockport Council confirmed that ‘families of 7,5000 school age children, who are eligible for income-based Free School Meals, will receive a £30 voucher per eligible child’ to help with essential costs over Christmas.
A further payment will also follow in the New Year.
The council has said that eligible families do not need to apply and will be contacted by email and post over the coming days and weeks.
The Council also revealed it is working with local schools and colleges to identify the vulnerable families in the area and will distribute vouchers accordingly.
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Cllr Tom McGee, Deputy Leader of Stockport Council, said: “Funding secured from central Government has enabled us to offer this vital support to families and we want to help as many households as possible. We know that many of our generous businesses and residents will want to play their part in addition to what we are doing.
“The community response through COVID-19 has been amazing. Our communities have come together as One Stockport to support those most affected by the pandemic.
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“In addition, our partners at Stockport County Football Club are working with Stockport’s voluntary, community and social enterprise support agency, Sector 3, to raise vital funds and this is just one of the ways people can help those who may be in need this Christmas.”
The town’s local football club launched their Food for Christmas campaign back in November – helping to provide meals for children in the Stockport area over the Christmas holidays.
The campaign has raised more than £192,000 so far.
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Mark Stott, owner of Stockport County Football Club, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership to support our community and we are asking that people can give what they can, to ensure no child goes hungry this Christmas.”
Read more about Stockport County’s Christmas campaign here.
For more information about the support being provided by Stockport Council, visit the official website.
News
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
The Manc -
15th December 2020 
