People continue to face a challenging time because of the increased cost of living and energy bills, plus high inflation and rising interest rates. School holiday periods can bring a further financial strain on families especially those whose children receive free school meals in term time.

I?m really pleased that once again we are able to offer free holiday activity clubs for the October half-term. Children all receive a free lunch, alongside a programme of activities focused on healthy eating, fitness and mental health. There are also a limited number of places available for children who aren?t eligible for FSM and these will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

We know there is a real need for these clubs, more than 25,000 places were put on over the summer holidays for pupils who receive free school meals. Nottingham Forest Community Trust and other city partners work with us to deliver these clubs and their input is much appreciated. ?You can find out more here or book places, at the Ask Lion website.

As the Cost of Living crisis continues to worsen I want to remind everyone in Nottingham that food banks are happy to help anyone who needs it. It doesn?t matter why you need help.

You can get a food bank voucher from Nottingham City Council?s customer hub, Children?s centres, GPs, health visitor, citizen?s advice and other routes. Please don?t ever feel like you?ve failed or that you are too ashamed to ask for help ? it?s there to help all of us and you can pay it forward by making a donation in the future to help someone else.

As well as food banks, Nottingham has quite a few social eating cafes offering very cheap or free hot meals ? see where your nearest one is here.

I am pleased that Active Nottingham were named as finalists by Swim England at the Education and Teaching Awards 2022. Learning to swim is such an important life skill and it?s reassuring to know it?s taught to such a high standard locally.

Nottingham Swim School was nominated for Swim School of the Year, alongside many of the Nottingham Swim School teachers in the Swimming Teacher of the Year category. I?m delighted Deborah Williams was awarded ?Runner Up? for Swimming Teacher of the Year after being nominated by Nottingham Swim School parents and students from Djanogly Community Leisure Centre and Southglade Leisure Centre.

Additionally, Nottingham City Council?s School Swimming department came away with School Swimming Provider of the Year for the second year in a row. Well done to everyone involved!

More here

This week is libraries week; a week-long celebration of the nation?s much-loved libraries. The focus of the week this year is to highlight the significant role that libraries play in inspiring learning for all and helping individuals to unlock and fulfil their potential at every stage of life.

It?s free to join our libraries, book reservations are free and at the moment there are no late fees. So far a whopping 7,900 people have joined Nottingham City Libraries in 2022, and 277,500 books have been read this year,?an incredible 1,140 books per day!

All our libraries have free internet access and customers can use our computers or their own device.

Visit our website to find out more about the wide range of free services and activities that Nottingham City Libraries has to offer throughout the year https://www.nottinghamcitylibraries.co.uk

New visitors can get involved today by signing up for a library card www.nottinghamcitylibraries.co.uk/join/ and keep up to date with the latest news and updates, by following us at www.facebook.com/NottmLibraries