CAS Support
CAS supports the VCFSE sector with a variety services to help organisations be sustainable, resilient and well run.
Below are some of the services we offer. If there is anything else that you need support with please do contact us at [email protected]
Funding and Financial Sustainability
Governance and Business Support
County Council information and Government schemes
Free School Meals
All primary school children in England currently receive “Universal Infant free school meals” in Reception, year 1 and year 2 regardless of household income.
However, parents should also check whether they are eligible for benefit-related free school meals if their child is in these year groups. This is because it can open up other funding and opportunities for their child and school.
They do not need to wait until their child reaches the end of year 2 to check eligibility and apply.
Further information about eligibility, benefits and how to apply can be found here
Healthy Start Scheme
This is a scheme where pregnant women or those with children under the age of 4 could get payments to spend on cow’s milk, infant formula, fruit and vegetables, pulses and also access free vitamins.
You can find out more about the scheme, eligibility and apply here
You can download leaflets about the scheme in a variety of languages here
Money Guiders Free Training
Money Guiders is free training for anyone who may have conversations about money with their customers. It is provided by the Money and Pension Service.
You can find out more about the training here
If you are interested in undertaking training please contact [email protected]
Suffolk Infolink
Suffolk Infolink is a free online directory of local organisations and community groups and services.
Organisations can set up their own profile to promote their services. You can find our more and register here
The food team oversee a page called ‘Accessing Food in Suffolk’ which lists various food projects around the county as well as offering other information and support around food and income. You can find the page here
You can download a leaflet to promote the Accessing Food In Suffolk page here
Suffolk Information Partnership
Suffolk Information Partnership (SIP) is a network of over 100 organisations who provide support around care, health and wellbeing.
You can join SIP to receive regular updates and be part of their network events.
SIP also run the Warm Handover Referral Scheme, which enables organisations to support vulnerable customers to access a variety of services that they may otherwise not contact on their own.
You can find out more about SIP and Warm Handover here
Useful Websites
IFAN (Independent Food Aid Network) have produce a ‘Worried about Money?’ leaflet for each district, which provides guidance and information for different money situations and details of local support for each district. You can download the leaflet for your district from their website and also request free hard copies for your organisation.
WRAP have a variety of resources on their website to support projects with the redistribution of surplus food, such as guidance around best before dates.
Food Standards Agency (FSA) has a variety of guidance available for community food projects on their website.
Other resources
Real Farming Trust LUSH scheme: Linking Up Suppliers and Hubs (LUSH) is a pilot scheme connecting food suppliers together with food hubs to create a more resilient food system.