In the next week or so, children across the country will be finishing their final classes and starting their long summer holidays with great excitement and anticipation.
However, the holidays can put a lot of pressure on families. Rates of poverty amongst children are already staggeringly high, with 30% of children experiencing relative poverty.[1] Similarly, working age adults with children often experience higher rates of poverty than much of the population. The financial squeeze can ensure that many parents go without so that their children are fed, healthy, and happy. Sometimes even this is not enough, and their children also feel the effects of poverty.
The summer holidays can exacerbate this problem. Parents and carers must juggle the need to work and to look after their children. Childcare costs are high, but time off often means lost income. Moreover, many parents rely on the free school meals scheme to prevent their children from going hungry. Even for those who can look after their children in the holidays, the price of family activities can be steep. Therefore, for many, the summer holidays bring added stress and anxiety.
Our churches are often well linked to local families and schools and we can be thinking about how we can support children, parents, and carers this summer. One great way to do this is by signposting to free events and support. We can ensure that the families that we come into contact with know what they are entitled to. We can also point them to free and fun activities and events that their kids will love, but which are low cost and accessible. I know that many churches run holiday clubs and this is a fantastic start.
Check out the following ideas to help signpost to local families. If you know of any further ideas and events which are free and low cost, do get in touch with Nicole at [email protected] and we can update this list!
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme
Did you know that if your children are eligible for benefit-related free school meals, then they are also eligible for free activities and meals over the summer holidays?
The Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme is a government-funded initiative that supports children and families during school holidays by providing free, healthy meals and enriching activities such as sports, crafts, and games. Whilst the programme has been finalised for this holiday, community groups (including churches) are welcome to apply for funding to run their own groups each major holiday. It can be a great way to serve your local community, so if you would like to find out more: contact Nicole at [email protected].
Please be aware, HAF is primarily for children who qualify for free school meals because of parent low-income. It is not available for all children receiving free school meals. If you are not sure whether you are eligible then you can use this checker.
Find out what HAF provision is available in your local area:
Croydon Borough Greenwich Borough Kingston Lambeth Borough Lewisham Borough Richmond Southwark Borough Surrey Wandsworth Borough
Reading Challenge
The Summer Reading Challenge is a fun, nationwide initiative designed to keep children reading during the school holidays. Typically run through local libraries (but you can sign up online too!), the challenge encourages children a set a number of books they aim to read. They’ll get rewards like stickers, certificates, and sometimes even other prizes to motivate them. This year the theme is Story Garden: Adventures in Nature and the Great Outdoors.
The Summer Reading Challenge is available in most public libraries across the Diocese. However, please be aware that the challenge is not being run in Lambeth, Sutton, and Kingston–upon–Thames libraries. You can still sign up online though and you do not need to live in the borough to get a library membership there so you can always try the neighbouring borough.
Museums, Arts, Libraries, Parks and Other Activities
You can use the map below to find some free and low-cost activities and places to visit over the summer.
[1] Relative poverty is when a person doesn’t have enough income to live comfortably compared to others in their society. It is often calculated as any income less than 60% of the median income for the country.
Source of stats on child poverty rates: Joseph Rowntree Foundation
