Free holiday clubs for my friends who do not work

I am sorry OP, despite it being 2025 the world still doesn’t seem set up for working parents during the long school holidays.

I remember being really annoyed when DS was young because there was an excellent low cost summer camp available, but in order to get a space you had to be on the phone at 8am the minute bookings opened, impossible of course if both DPs worked, so the SAHMs always grabbed the spaces - and that’s not even half as bad as what’s happening to you.

HAF is for the children, not their parents. Most children who qualify will have exceptional circumstances like being a young carer because as a PP said most parents of school aged children are expected to work or be supported by family.

But the point is they are not poorer. I suppose that must be what the OP is saying.

If you borrowed £400, that will cover 2 days a week. If you get 85% back, ask this to be paid directly to the loan. The balance is then just £60. So it’s £60 for 8 days childcare, £7.50 per day. They can deduct a manageable amount from your UC payments.

You then only have 3 days of DC watching TV. I’m assuming you’re off work on the weekends to spend time with him.

OP won't be getting the same next term. It isn't going to work like that for people who will get FSM because of UC.

YANBU
Even as a relatively high earner, 2 kids in full time holiday club was financially crippling. Mine are now older but I well remember the years of feeling I was grafting for nothing when I would rather have been with them.

Ultimately though, keeping going through those years, I now have a much higher salary, a good pension and will retire early into a good standard of living. Those who are relying on benefits are going to have a hard landing at some point, probably in the not too distant future.

It’s a way of keeping these kids off the streets and out of trouble, trying to avoid them mugging or thieving off people.

Email the same places and ask. If they have spaces they can still say yes.

Once you get the 85% back you put it to
one side to pay up front for the next school holidays. Save the 15% each month. I’m in the same position and I no it’s expensive, but slating your friends for getting more help than you is daft.

I can't get my head around not working if you are able to, its an isolating and boring existence otherwise.

I am sorry you feel penalised but as I said, next term you should be getting the same- not that it helps you in the next 6 weeks. I remember the feeling of paying extortionate holiday club fees and then seeing those on social media either getting to spend time with their children or feeling like they were benefiting off the backs of the tax payers.... as im now a "bum" I would rather be the old me- karma has probably bitten me on the arse 😂

You get UC so you know full well you can get 85% of your childcare back. And you will get free school meals from September. Your friends kids get some holiday clubs (not 5 weeks every day) because they are under privileged, not something to be jealous of.

This does happen though. There’s plenty of work shy people who think having kids means they don’t have to work. Yes, they have to show they apply for jobs, but does anyone ever check the quality of their applications?

@IDontHateRainbows

To be accurate, HAF was piloted in 2018 and fully funded from 2021. Which I think you will find was a tory govt

@IDontHateRainbows

To be accurate, HAF was piloted in 2018 and fully funded from 2021. Which I think you will find was a tory govt

Op most people can’t afford most activities, clubs etc. people just juggle whatever way they can, and beg borrow and steal what time off they can and yes kids watch too many screens etc etc etc, but then you have the fab days you get to do a day of playing, or go to the beach or the zoo. you’re not a shit mum x

Could you put him into the holiday club for a day or two a week. Normally you don’t have to book the full week. Also most kids don’t want to spend their whole summer holidays at clubs, they want down-time too. So if you could mix it up a bit - club / home, your DC will be as happy as Larry!

Under what circumstances do.they have school age kids and get benefits without working? You have to jobseek well before compulsory school age.

You can't just be like I have kids at school and I'm a lazy job shy cow and UC give you a full array of benefits.

Maybe local authorities are different. I get your frustration especially if those not working are able bodied and could take their child out.

From my point of view, I dont work as im disabled, we haven't been on holiday since 2019 (before I became disabled). If the activities weren't solely focused on SEN and my daughter was a people person, they would be good for getting her out of the house for a few days, otherwise she will be stuck in for 6 weeks as I can't physically take her out and I dont have a circle of people to rely on as it disappears when you are ill.

You never said why your friends dont work. Im tired of seeing all the benefit bashing going on.

YANBU but people on MN always stick up for people who get things for free.

I suppose in the long run you will be better off as they will lose money once the kids are 18. But you will hopefully have some sort of pension and a salary coming in.

I think it’s a shame that the parents don’t want to spend time with them & ship them off to clubs every day.

I think that’s the point of these clubs for certain children, the parents aren’t perfectly capable of looking after them at home.

They can’t provide the activities children require throughout the holidays, so it’s falling to the government to step-in.

You're assuming that all LA's do it the same way which won't be the case.