The Family Holiday Charity helps families get time away together, often for the first time ever. We help make the impossible possible for families facing tough times like illness, bereavement, isolation and facing challenges that mean a holiday is just not possible. The cost of living crisis means more tiny toes are missing out on feeling the sand and sea for the first time, teens aren't able to see their mum smile for the first time in a while.
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0We help families get time away together, often for the first time ever.
We're here for children living near the coast, who've never seen the sea. For teenagers who can't remember when they last saw mum smile.
For parents having to choose between a day out and a new pair of school shoes. For young carers, grandparents and kinship carers. For families facing illness, isolation, or bereavement.
Why holidays?
Holidays open up new possibilities. There’s time to reconnect, to try new things, and to make happy memories together. Time for running, playing, climbing trees and flying kites, time for picnics and bare feet. There’s time enough to share a laugh and watch the tide come in - for buckets and spades and sandy sandwiches.
Once we find out what each family needs, we take care of all the details. That way families can take care of the most important thing - each other, like these families:
"After over 12 months of falling apart, it's brought us closer together again"
"It's given us some happy memories to replace the sad ones"
“Knowing what’s out there has changed our future - we’ve got much bigger dreams than the park across the road now!”
Families choose the UK holiday they need. It could be a caravan on the coast, a woodland adventure, or a day out at a theme park, museum or gallery.
And whatever the weather, if it means time spent together, even a day’s holiday helps build relationships, confidence and hope for the future.
More than 2.2 million families in the UK with dependent children cannot afford to take a week's holiday. The benefits of a holiday on wellbeing, mental health and resilience are well documented - and the benefits on the families we've been here for since 1975 is also clear - read more in our Impact report.
How we work
Our referral criteria include low incomes (household income below £24,000) and other criteria. All families are referred by professionals they are working with - such as teachers, health and social care professionals or other charities. This ensures we're here for people who need us most, and who will be able to be supported to prepare for a holiday. For many, it is their first-ever holiday and some need help with thinking about planning and preparing for this exciting experience.
Read advice for families via this link
If you'd like to refer a family, read this link
