Brentwood Avenue coffee house Cake Stories says it hopes to continue supporting struggling families over the Christmas period, despite the government’s decision to provide free school meals to children in England during the holidays.

During October half-term, Cake Stories teamed up with 1901 Caffe Bistro on St George’s Terrace to distribute free lunches to those in need across Jesmond and Manors. It was one of many initiatives organised on social media under the #NoChildHungry hashtag to help the 4,000 school students eligible for free school meals in the Newcastle East constituency.

“We wanted to put our money where our mouth is, and for those struggling to know that they are cared for,” said Cake Stories co-owner Hannah Evans. Thanks to campaigning by footballer Marcus Rashford, the government has reversed its policy and set aside £396 million to provide free school meals this Christmas, next Easter and in the summer holidays to 1.7 million children.

Because of the latest lockdown restrictions, Cake Stories is currently offering a takeaway-only service, staying open until 9pm every evening with Evans saying she hopes it will encourage locals to “grab a hot chocolate and take some time to wander outside”.

“We do still see value in the No Child Hungry Campaign and if possible, we’d look to doing something similar this Christmas,” she said.

Local Labour MP Nick Brown praised the contribution made by local businesses and residents. “The community response has been tremendous,” he told JesmondLocal. “I think there is something special about Tyne and Wear and the north east region more generally, a sense of solidarity that you don’t find quite so much in other parts of the country.”

According to the North East Child Poverty Commission more than a third of children and young people are living in poverty in the north east and a recent study by the Child Poverty Action Group suggested that the Newcastle upon Tyne East constituency has one of the highest percentages of children in poverty in the region.