As the cost-of-living crisis deepens, a recent survey commissioned by The Salvation Army reveals that many parents within the UK are sacrificing their very own basic needs to provide their children a semblance of summer joy.
The survey, conducted in May 2025, found that 35% of oldsters intend to forgo meals to be certain that their children can attend holiday clubs.
Additionally, 36% lack the means to pay for childcare, and the identical proportion say they’re unable to depart work to take care of their children throughout the school holidays.
Nearly one-third (30%) said a family holiday was completely out of reach this yr.
In response, The Salvation Army has launched a summer support campaign throughout the UK and Ireland, offering free activities, meals, and uniform aid to ease the pressure on struggling households.
Assistant Secretary for Mission Major Kerry Coke highlighted the stark contrast between the intended joy of summer and the grim reality many families face: “The summer holidays are supposed to be a time of joy and fun but poverty can rob children of the possibility to play and explore.
“It’s not only the fee of food, but the fee of activities has soared. Then when the brand new school term approaches, buying school uniform is an added financial burden.
“Our officers and volunteers up and down the country are doing what we will to assist vulnerable children have some summer joy of their lives, whether it’s running our own camps, organising summer club activities or helping parents in practical ways with school uniform swaps, lunch clubs and foodbanks.”
The charity is running a wide selection of programmes including summer day camps, arts and crafts activities, film clubs, and breakfast and lunch provisions for youngsters.
In places like Feltham, London, families can attend weekly breakfast sessions paired with creative activities, while in Newark, the Toasties Café serves free meals alongside fun events.
In Winton, Dorset, free meals are being offered every Wednesday to assist ease food insecurity.
County Durham is hosting summer community days crammed with food and games, giving children a likelihood to enjoy their holidays in a secure and supportive environment.
Recognising the looming burden of back-to-school costs, many local Salvation Army churches have also introduced school uniform exchanges in towns reminiscent of Hackney, Shipley, Gateshead and Guildford.
These initiatives aim to alleviate the financial strain on parents ahead of the autumn term.
One of those affected is a mother raising seven children on her own.
Impacted by the two-child profit cap, she relies heavily on Universal Credit and native food initiatives simply to survive.
She shared: “The Universal Credit payments I receive go on bills and rent. Then if I would like to purchase a college uniform or anything for my kids it comes out of whatever is left over, after which if any unexpected bill is available in, I panic. My Universal Credit payments mainly go on every thing but food on the minute so I even have to get that support where I can.
“There have been times where I’ll go without food myself, sometimes weeks and not using a proper meal, so my kids can eat, and I’ll finish any of the leftovers that the kids leave on their plate. It’s horrible to live like this and it’s horrible to think about anyone having to resort to those measures, but needs must, and for me, it’s my reality.
“I’m really just surviving every day. I get what I can from food projects and support from places like The Salvation Army.”
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