Category Children and families   Show all

  • Challenge Poverty Week: Let’s End Poverty Together

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    Challenge Poverty Week runs from 13–19 October. It’s a chance for us all to shine a light on the real challenges people face and to celebrate the incredible work already happening across our communities.

    We’re encouraging everyone to Do One Thing to take a simple step towards improving your financial wellbeing. Whether it’s having a chat with family, seeking advice, or reviewing your budget. Small actions can lead to big changes.

    Below are a few suggestions to get you started, remember you only need to do one.

    If you’re part of an organisation that supports people in your community, tell us how you're making a difference. Share your work, your impact, and how you're listening to those with lived experience. Use the hashtags #ChallengePoverty and tag @go_CheshireWest so we can amplify your voice.

  • Major expansion in funded childcare for working families

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    Eligible working parents in Cheshire West and Chester could receive up to 30 hours of funded childcare each week during term time for children aged 9 months to school age. This change is part of the government's expanded Childcare Choices programme and is designed to help families with the cost of living, support working parents, and give children the best start in life.

    This is a fantastic opportunity for local families to access funded childcare from as early as nine months old. The cost of living can be challenging, and this support can make a real difference to parents balancing work and family life. From the end of parental leave to the start of primary school, an average working parent could save up to £7,500 per year – money that stays in your pocket for your family's needs.

    Share this information with friends, family members, neighbours, and community groups. Many families still don’t realise they’re eligible, especially those with younger children or returning to work.

    For more information and to find out if you’re eligible for funded childcare, visit:

    The Best Start in Life parent hub

  • Important vaccination information

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    UKHSA urges vaccination against respiratory viruses ahead of winter

    The UK Health Security Agency urges people to book their vaccinations against flu, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as cases are starting to increase ahead of the winter months.

    UKHSA urges vaccination against respiratory viruses ahead of winter - GOV.UK

    To ensure people are protected ahead of the peak respiratory illness season, UKHSA is highlighting the importance of taking up the free NHS offer as soon as you are invited for vaccination. Pregnant women and millions of children have already been able to get vaccinated, with appointments for most eligible groups available from 1 October.

    For the first time this year, in addition to other eligible groups, toddlers can also get their flu vaccination, which is given as a nasal spray, at community pharmacies.

    To book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, visit the National Booking Service:
    https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/vaccination-and-booking-services/book-covid-19-vaccination/

    Free chickenpox vaccination to be offered for first time to children in England from January

    Recently the government announced that starting next January, young children in England will get a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

    From January next year, GP practises will offer eligible children a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) – the clinical term for chickenpox – as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule.

    Expected to be given to around half a million children each year across England, the vaccination will be given to eligible children during routine GP appointments as part of the infant vaccination schedule.

    Eligibility will be based on how old a child is when the programme starts in January 2026. Parents will be provided with more information nearer the time.

    For more information, visit:
    Free chickenpox vaccination offered for first time to children - GOV.UK

    The UKHSA and NHS England are calling on parents to check their child’s vaccine records and catch up on any missed vaccinations with their GP practice.

    Read more, at:
    Almost 1 in 5 children starting primary school are not fully protected against several serious diseases - GOV.UK

  • Discount travel across the borough, and beyond

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    Getting around using public transport can not only save you money but is good for the environment too. Check out the deals on offer across our borough and beyond.

    Avanti West Coast’s Superfare ticket extended to Chester

    The Superfare ticket offers low-cost journeys to and from London.

    The new fare costing £21 for a single journey, is available on direct Avanti West Coast trains between the two cities. It can be purchased at least 7 days in advance and up to 56 days before travel.

    The ticket enables customers to book a journey for a specific date at a cheaper fare with the choice of a morning, afternoon, or evening slot.

    Find out more

    itravel now departing on Saturdays

    itravel on-demand rural bus service covers a wide area including Helsby, Frodsham, Delamere and Acton Bridge, as well as some other villages where no commercial services are available.

    It is simple, easy and cost effective to use. Just register to use the service, book your journey and you’re off. The many simple, convenient and varied ways of booking make it easier to connect you to people and places.

    Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm (excluding Bank Holidays), and Saturdays between 9am and 5pm. You can book online, using the mobile phone app (available to download from the App Store or Google Play, or by telephone – 0330 678 1545.

    Booking details

    Chester Park and Ride

    Travelling into Chester for work or leisure? Park and Ride operates from Upton, Boughton Heath and Wrexham Road. Free parking, with discounts for groups now available. Buses operate three separate circular routes direct into the city, then back to your car park.

    PR1 – Wrexham Road Park and Ride: Grosvenor Road (for Racecourse and Law Courts) – Bus Interchange – Foregate Street stop AA (for shops and visitor attractions) – Pepper Street (for the River Dee and Boat Trips) – Grosvenor Road - Wrexham Road Park & Ride

    PR2 – Boughton Heath Park and Ride: Boughton Waitrose (for Business Quarter) - The Bars – Bus Interchange – Foregate Street stop AA (for shops and visitor attractions) – Boughton Waitrose - Boughton Heath Park & Ride

    PR3 – Upton (Zoo) Park and Ride: Liverpool Road (Countess Hospital) – Liverpool Road Abbotts Grange (for university) – Bus Interchange – Foregate Street stop BB (for shops and visitor attractions) – Liverpool Road Abbotts Grange – Liverpool Road (Countess Hospital) - Upton (Zoo) Park & Ride

    Find out more

    Get around for £3 until 2027

    Single bus fares to be capped at £3 until March 2027, ensuring services remain affordable and supporting travel in rural areas and towns.

    Cheshire West and Chester Council has worked with operators to encourage as many as possible to participate, although some services will not be eligible.

    Journeys starting in Wales are not eligible for the scheme, however local concessions have been introduced by some operators.

    Find our more

  • Free adult and family cycle training available

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    The Council is working with cycle trainers Bikeright to offer residents access to adult and family cycle training across the borough. The training will be tailored to suit your needs, whether you are a complete beginner or want to learn some more advance skills on your bike. Courses are available on a one-to-one basis with an instructor at a time and location that suits you. For family training, up to a maximum of six people can receive the training within your group.

    Find out more and sign up

  • Financial support for families with young children and teens

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    Tax-Free Childcare to help parents to save on their childcare bills

    With Tax-Free Childcare, families arranging childcare for the start and end of the school day can get financial support of up to £2,000 a year per child, or £4,000 if their child is disabled, towards the cost. Parents can use the scheme to pay for childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 16 if the child has a disability.

    For every £8 deposited in a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government tops it by £2 which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every three months to use to pay for their childcare costs.

    Once an account is opened, parents can deposit money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to use whenever it’s needed. Any unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.  

    For more information about Tax-Free Childcare and how to register visit GOV.UK.


    Reminder to extend Child Benefit for your teen

    Parents of 16 to 19 year olds, who are staying in education or training, can extend their Child Benefit claim to guarantee payments in September.

    Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August on or after a child’s 16th birthday if it’s not extended.

    You can apply to extend Child Benefit quickly and easily via the HMRC app or online on the Gov.UK website. You need to do this by 31 August

    https://www.gov.uk/child-benefit-16-19

    Child Benefit is currently worth £26.05 per week - or £1,354.60 a year - for the eldest or only child and £17.25 per week - or £897 a year - for each additional child. More than 870,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claim for their teen last year with the majority confirming online or via the HMRC app in minutes.

    Child Benefit can continue to be paid for young people who are studying full time in non-advanced education as well as unpaid approved training courses. Visit GOV.UK to check full eligibility.

  • Cheshire West summer Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme

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    The HAF Programme is funded nationally by the Department for Education and supports local organisations to provide free holiday provision to school aged children and young people from reception to year 11 (inclusive) on benefits-related free school meals (FSM) - helping them to access healthy food, take part in fun activities and meet new friends in a safe and fun environment.

    There are also paid places available with some providers for those who do not meet the criteria, so that other children and young people can join in the fun too.


    Full information is available on the dedicated Cheshire West and Chester pages of the HAF website.
    Summer Holiday Activities and Food

    Edsential Community Interest Company is working with several organisations, including schools, community, voluntary and faith sector organisations to organise 65 summer holiday activity clubs throughout the borough.

    Each eligible child will be provided with a good quality nutritious meal, plus, they can look forward to a wide range of activities designed to be engaging and fun. From sports such as football, dodgeball and rounders to den building, baking, cooking classes and forest school activities.

    Brio Leisure is offering a variety of activities for young people. Sports camps will be held at Neston Recreation Centre, catering for 4 to 12-year-olds. Additionally, fun and floats and craft sessions are available for young people aged 5 to 18 years with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at Ellesmere Port Sports Village, Winsford Lifestyle Centre, and Northwich Memorial Court. For further details or enquiries, please email: info@brioleisure.org.

    Young People Service will deliver a Future Focus summer scheme. The programme is aimed at young people aged 16-19 who are currently not in employment, education or training, or leaving Year 11 this summer and have not yet secured a post 16 placement for September. The range of activities will include confidence building and employment skills, team building and emotional and financial wellbeing.

    Youth Zone for 11–16-year-olds (up to 25 for our SEND children and young people) will provide a summer programme including activity day trips, indoor and outdoor sports sessions, team building skills, Breakout Rooms and much more. For more information, email the Youth Service:
    YoungPeoplesService@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

    For more information about SEND specific activities, check out our website or if you have any queries, email: AimingHighForDisabledChildren@cheshirewest.gov.uk

    To check if your child is eligible for Free School Meals, visit our website:
    Free school meals | Cheshire West and Chester Council

    If you have any questions about the HAF programme , please email:
    HAF@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

    A comprehensive list of other, non-HAF related, summer holiday activities across the borough is available on the Council’s website:
    School holiday activities | Cheshire West and Chester Council

  • Help us to make our services better

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    Your voice is important to us. If you or a member of your family/friends uses any of the services detailed below, then we’re keen to get your/their views as this will help us to make improvements to our services.

    Starting Well
    We would like to gather some initial ideas from people who use a Starting Well 0-19 service (up to 25 years old for those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), and those who don’t, to understand what works well and what could be done better.

    The Starting Well service delivers support to children, young people, their families and carers across Cheshire West and Chester. The service is based mainly in Children’s Centres but also delivers support in families and carers' homes, and in schools.

    Closing date for responses – Friday, 9 May 2025

    The form takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

    Complete the feedback form

    Adult Social Care
    We want to hear about your experience when receiving support from the Council’s Adult Social Care Service.

    The survey is open to those people who are receiving support as well as their family members, carers and advocates. We’re keen to hear what you think is particularly good about the service you’ve received from Adult Social Care and where you think we could make improvements.

    This is an open-ended feedback form so there is no closing date for responses.

    The survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

    Complete the short survey

  • Fun for all the family this half term

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    If you’re looking for something to do this February half term with the family, then take a look at the Council’s web page packed full of low-cost or free events for everyone to enjoy.

    Events and activities are happening daily throughout the week and there's plenty of choice of things to do - from interactive performances, football camp, bird trails, pool parties and much more.


    School holiday activities | Cheshire West and Chester Council

    Information for activities and events have been provided by our partners. Therefore, we advise that you contact the event organiser for the most up to date information.

  • Support for new parents

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    Child Benefit

    Did you know you can claim your Child Benefit online or via the HMRC app? More than one million parents have claimed in this way since the new digital service was launched earlier this year.

    Child Benefit is worth £1,331 a year for the first child and £881 a year for each additional child. It can be claimed just 48 hours after registering a baby’s birth and parents typically receive their first payment within three working days. Claims can be backdated by up to 12 weeks, so the sooner families claim, the better. Child Benefit is typically paid every four weeks.

    Downloading the free HMRC app makes managing claims even easier too. Families can use the app to track payments and update their details on the go – from changing their address or bank details, to seeing when their next payment is landing.

    To make a claim online, visit: Child Benefit: Make a claim - GOV.UK or via the HMRC app, visit: Download the HMRC app - GOV.UK

    Healthy Start supports families in need

    If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4 you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk.

    If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. Your benefit will be added onto your card every four weeks.

    You can use your card to buy:

    • plain liquid cow’s milk
    • fresh, frozen, and tinned fruit and vegetables
    • fresh, dried, and tinned pulses
    • infant formula milk based on cow’s milk

    You can also use your card to collect:

    • Healthy Start vitamins – these support you during pregnancy and breastfeeding
    • vitamin drops for babies and young children – these are suitable from birth to 4 years old

    To find out about applying for Healthy Start, visit: Applying for Healthy Start – Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)

    or how you can use Healthy Start, visit Using Healthy Start – Get help to buy food and milk (Healthy Start)