The following is adapted from an Isle of Wight Council press release…

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If you’re feeling stressed out with the cost of the festive season coming up, support is available across the Island to help.

The Christmas Holiday Activities and Food scheme is back this year.

It’s for children who receive free school meals, although there are also some paid for places available.

Discover lots of different activities for all ages including teens. Everyone who goes along gets a nutritious meal during the day.

There’s also a network of more than 50 Warm Welcome Spaces, that offer warmth, friendship and other support. Each Warm Welcome Space is different, you can find one near you on the Isle of Wight Council’s website.

Community pantries and larders supported by the UK Government’s Household Support Fund are there for everyone. You don’t need to be on benefits to go along. Become a member and for £5 a week you can top up your weekly shop with groceries worth at least £15. Find out more on the connect4communities website.

For information about keeping warm, claiming benefits and more see the Isle of Wight Council’s cost of living pages.

And, to give you an extra helping hand with your Christmas shopping we’ve got a prize draw running. You could be in with a chance to win one of five £50 supermarket vouchers.

Supported by our free Multiply maths courses, just answer five maths questions and be in with a chance to win! The competition is live and closes on Monday 4 December. Get full terms and conditions and enter the prize draw online.