For families facing the rising cost of living, something as simple as a hot meal can make a real difference. But at Geeza Break, a warm welcome and a shared lunch are also the starting point for something bigger: connection, practical support and a route towards longer-term wellbeing.

Thanks to a £4,000 grant from Merchants House, Geeza Break is supporting local families through a project designed alongside the people who use its services. The project provides immediate relief from the pressures of rising household costs, while helping families access the information, resources and support they need to build resilience for the future.

A warm welcome for local families

The project offers families free hot, sustainable meals and drinks in a warm, positive environment. For parents and carers who are juggling increasingly tight household budgets, this can provide welcome breathing space. For some families, simply having a reason to leave the house and spend time somewhere welcoming and supportive can have a significant impact.

As one parent explained:

“I feel so comfortable coming here with my daughter, it gives me a reason to get out the house with her. My daughter is very comfortable with the group too and with the staff who are facilitating.”

Another parent highlighted the importance of the social opportunities for both themselves and their child:

“It’s really great to come along and meet other local parents. It’s also giving my son the chance to mix with other children since he isn’t in nursery yet. I really appreciate the lunch as well- with the rise in my bills, I rarely get the chance to go out for something to eat, so this means a lot”

Practical help that lasts beyond the lunch

The project has been designed to address the wider challenges families are facing. Alongside the meals, Geeza Break provides practical support to help families make the most of their household budgets.

This includes sustainable, budget-friendly recipes and advice on maximising household budgets and improving fuel efficiency. Families can also access free fruit and vegetable boxes, something many parents and carers say can otherwise be difficult to afford on a low income.

Crucially, the project also acts as a bridge to other sources of support. Geeza Break can connect families with local organisations providing cost-of-living assistance, including food pantries and foodbanks, Halliday Foundation Food, Shettleston’s Growing Project, and support with fuel costs and vouchers.

Where appropriate, families can also be connected with other Geeza Break services, including wraparound family support and respite opportunities. The impact can be seen in the experiences of the families taking part. One parent said:

“Coming to the Winter Warmer has been really good for me. I don’t usually get out of the house much when the kids are in school, so having a couple of hours to meet other people and enjoy some lunch has made such a difference. It gives me a reason to get out and something to look forward to.”

About Geeza Break

Geeza Break has been supporting children, young people and families since 1992, predominantly in the North East of Glasgow. As a grassroots organisation rooted firmly in the local community, it provides practical and emotional support tailored to the needs of the families it works with.

Its services include one-to-one family support, group work for parents and carers, and a range of respite opportunities for children from birth to 16 years old, including sitting services, overnight care and centre-based group work.

Would you like to support our work? Consider joining as a Member