New research released today by Family Holiday Charity shines a light on the barriers that are stopping people going on a Summer holiday this year, with money (43%) topping the list for those living in London.
The poll, undertaken by YouGov, is part of a new UK-wide campaign, Holiday Moments launched by Family Holiday Charity which aims to highlight the magic of small moments that can make a holiday extraordinary for families who are facing life’s toughest challenges.
The findings also showed that 20% of Londoners cannot afford to go on a summer holiday this year or have to save for a year or more before.
The poll also highlighted that across the UK:
• 3% of UK adults say they have never been on a summer holiday.
• 12% of UK adults feel that family commitments are a barrier to going on a summer holiday.
• 11% of UK adults find the organisation of planning a holiday a barrier.
• 17% of UK adults will have saved a year or more in advance to pay for their summer holiday this year.
• 11% of UK adults say they cannot afford to go on a summer holiday this year.
• 20% of UK adults said that they physically find themselves returning to the same childhood location at least once a year to create a new summer holiday memory.
These findings come at a time when UK families are already feeling the pinch with the cost-of-living crisis and demand for a moment away from it all has never been higher.
Holiday Moments has been launched by Family Holiday Charity to raise awareness of the charity’s work and help people understand that holidays are a vital part of family life and they play an important role in people’s well-being. 2,500,000 families with dependent children in the UK are currently unable to afford a one-week holiday.
Family Holiday Charity helps families get time away together – often for the first time ever – for holidays that build happy memories, confidence and hope.
Kat Lee, CEO of Family Holiday Charity said: “This poll demonstrates that there are so many different barriers faced by people who want to go on holiday and this just shouldn’t be the case. For many families in London, the magic of small holiday moments like ice cream treats, penny machine victories or quality time together are out of reach. Family Holiday Charity know that every family needs that time together to grow, to play, to just ‘be’, together. Even a moment can make a lifetime of difference.
“Family Holiday Charity helps families to have a holiday. Those who are facing life’s toughest challenges, such as mental health issues, domestic abuse, and homelessness. Every family needs time together to have fun, try new things, and see each other smile. We know that families who get away together, grow together – into stronger happier, and more confident families. The impact of time away spent together as a family lasts forever.”
A new short film featuring families highlights the difference that a holiday can make for them, alongside showcasing some of the experiences of people who have been on holiday through the charity.
One family which has benefitted from a holiday thanks to Family Holiday Charity is Kate Adegoke from Southwark who was supported by the charity in 2023 so that she could take her young granddaughter, Kayla, on holiday to Clacton-on-the-sea, after her mum died. She said:
“Even though Kayla’s mum, my daughter, had been ill for a long time, it was still a shock when she died as she was only 31. This holiday was a chance for me to temporarily put to one side the darkness of the months leading up to my daughter’s death and help me put a bit of fun back into Kayla’s life for a few days.
“We to the funfair, the beach, on the Ferris wheel, ate some ice cream, candy floss and slushies and just enjoyed being together. The time away put a bit of life into both of us after such tragic circumstances. There was one photo we toko of Kayla where she had the biggest smile on her face – that picture really said it all.”
To donate or find out more about the charity’s campaign please visit https://familyholidaycharity.org.uk/holiday-moments
