Chomp holiday clubs feed struggling families across Sussex this summer

Parents and children gathered at Devils Dyke to take part in Chomp, a free school holiday lunch club for families on low incomes.

Run by One Church, Chomp events take place all across Brighton and Hove, providing activities including foraging walks and cooking classes for families during the summer.

Caroline Bailey, who helps run the events, said Chomp is a chance to build community.

She explained that before lunch, children went outside to learn about foraging, picking elderberries and turning them into tea.

She said: "If you don't have the money for food during the holiday then you often don't have it for activities so it's not just about lunch but also about fun.

"Some families really struggle during the holidays and we want to help fill that gap."

Caroline (left) and Sam (right) with other staff helping out at Chomp (Image: NQ staff)

Sam Corry, 39, who is a minister at One Church, has been helping out with Chomp for 6 years and describes the events as "magical."

Often holiday clubs and activities during the summer are expensive, Sam explained, but Chomp provides its activities for free.

He said: "It is a lot of effort and there is a lot of hard work that goes into it but I am a big fan."

Parents Heather and Michelle have ben attending Chomp's for several years, and say the events give them "a bit of sanity" during the six weeks holiday.

Michelle (left) and Heather (right) at Chomp (Image: NQ staff)

Michelle said: "When you're a single parent you still need a little bit of extra help sometimes.

"It's somewhere for them to go during the holidays.

"Six weeks is a long time."

Heather said that Chomp has also helped encourage the children to try new foods.

Food prepared by staff and children including vegetarian and meat options (Image: NQ staff)

"He was terrible at trying to eat," she said, referring to her son.

"He wouldn't touch it for me but he'll come here and we can get him to try a little bit."

She added: "Somethings stick and somethings don't."

The ladies were also grateful for other events run by Chomp, including a museum visit that was funded for free.

Heather said: "It opens up a few things for them."

Maddy Sharp (Image: NQ staff)

Maddy Sharp, 26, who helps out with activities including a craft table, said that while the events are fun, they are struggling.

She said: "There is way less funding going into it and it is a real shame.

"Education and community centres are getting axed left, right and centre."

Chomp is also supported by Meals and More, a Sysco GB charity organisation that helps families during the school holidays.

Sam Payne, Meals and More managing director, said: “Holiday hunger is a very real issue for families in Brighton and across Sussex as well as of course the whole country and this summer we have seen more parents than ever struggling to stretch their budgets through the six‑week break.

"Our partners here in the city, including One Church and Chomp, have been incredible in providing children with nutritious meals, safe spaces and the chance to play, learn and feel supported.

“Meals & More and their long‑standing commitment means we can fund programmes like this and reach families who would otherwise go without.

"Thanks to that support, and the dedication of local volunteers, hundreds of children in Brighton have had access to good food and positive experiences throughout the holidays this summer.

"We are proud to stand alongside the community and help make a difficult time a little easier for families who need it most.”