Holiday times can be challenging for families, in particular those who are vulnerable or on a low income. The lack of free school meals, regular social contact and play opportunities can create stress and pressure for families, often leading to financial, social and nutritional challenges.
‘Up to an estimated three million children risk being hungry in the school holidays. This group comprises over a million children growing up in poverty who receive free school meals during term time, as well as an estimated two million who are disqualified from free school meals because their parents work for their poverty.’ (Hungry Holidays, All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hunger (APPG), April 2017)
With funding from Brakes Meals & More, Family Action is delivering the Holiday Hub programme, which aims to address poor social inclusion, family nutrition and wellbeing, and financial strain.
‘Most useful is learning about all different recipes without it being so costly, and the meals are really easy to make.’
‘He was picky at first, but has tried new healthy foods.’
About Holiday Hub
Holiday Hub clubs currently operate in ten locations across the country – from Wigan to Coventry and from Croydon to Nottinghamshire.
Holiday Hub supports families by providing meals and opportunities for family bonding through eating, learning and playing together. As well as taking part in a wide range of fun activities and enjoying quality time together, families learn about nutrition and keeping fit and healthy.
Download a copy of our Holiday Hub flyer.
Impact
Feedback from families highlights that Holiday Hub has helped them:
- make healthy and cost-effective meals
- improve family relationships
- socialise with other families
- try new activities
- get to know the local area better
- improve their wellbeing.
‘Due to struggling with anxiety, I don’t socialise at all and tend to stay in the house … I have socialised with staff and other families.’
‘It was brilliant. We all enjoyed it as a family.’
Download some case study interviews with parents/carers.
Get involved
Please get in touch with us using the details below if you are interested in:
- volunteering to work within one of our clubs
- supplying food, resources or other in-kind support for our clubs
- setting up a Holiday Hub club
- finding out more about Holiday Hub
- providing support to Brakes Meals & More programme.
Holiday Hub Members' Area
Please visit our Members’ Area or contact us using the details below for:
- the latest Holiday Hub documentation (eg Holiday Hub bulletin, Information and Resources pack)
- dates for the next focus group sessions
- support with planning and delivery (eg recipes, portion sizes, food suppliers, sourcing volunteers, training for staff).
Rock-it!
Family Action has received a grant from the Institute of Physics to deliver four family fundays aimed at improving families’ engagement in physics. Learning from the project will be shared on this webpage in September.
Families, Food and Fun
Families, Food and Fun (based on Holiday Hub) will be co-ordinated during the Summer 2018 holidays by Family Action, with additional support being provided by Magic Breakfast and the Brakes founded Meals & More programme. Funded by the Department for Education (DfE), the programme will offer children AND their parents/carers free healthy food. Alongside this, a range of enrichment activities, including food preparation, growing food, cooking, budgeting, music, drama, crafts, and physical activity will be on offer. There will also be educational trips in the local community and signposting to local support services. Learning from the project will be shared on this Holiday Hub webpage in September. Find out more by visiting our press webpage.
Chemistry Cooks!
Family Action has received a grant from the Royal Society of Chemistry to deliver four family fundays aimed at improving families’ engagement in chemistry. Learning from the project will be shared on this webpage in September.
Digital Parent Support Service (DPSS)
Do you know a parent/carer who needs help or support in the evenings and at the weekend? Our free Parent Helpline can provide confidential support and information.
- Open weekdays 6pm to 10pm, weekends 10am to 1pm
- Available for parents and carers across England.
We can provide emotional support and guidance on all aspects of parenting. Support is also available from befrienders and counsellors.
- Telephone: 0808 802 0222
- Text message: 07537 404 282
- Email: NDPSS@family-action.org.uk
Contact us
Holiday Hub
Family Action
Unit 24 Angel Gate
City Road, Islington
London EC1V 2PT
M: 07714 076 184
E: louise.reilly@family-action.org.uk
www.family-action.org.uk/holidayhub/
We look forward to hearing from you!