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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Poor take up of free child activities

64 replies

DazedAndConfused2024 · 04/07/2024 17:22

Don’t want to reveal too many identifying details - but I’m so disappointed!
I sourced grant funding for and spent hours of my own time arranging an event for children over several weekends. All free and delivered by highly skilled professionals.

At a time when there is so much talk about giving enriching opportunities to children - this was completely wasted.

All the free tickets were booked in advance but there was approx 25% no shows for each session. Ie not that the events weren’t publicised - they were, to the degree all tickets booked.

am really disappointed and also quite fed up.
the total indifference is mind blowing to the extent I can’t be bothered anymore! I’m a volunteer and have done this because it’s a ‘good thing to do’

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 04/07/2024 17:24

People don't value free things. Next time charge £5 and you will get better turnout. Perhaps.

Sanch1 · 04/07/2024 17:24

Trouble is free is easy to forget or not turn up when you get a better offer because you're not losing money on something you've paid for. Not saying it's right, but that will be the attitude of some people.

longdistanceclaraclara · 04/07/2024 17:24

I would assume the families you are targeting may be erm, chaotic. They sign up and then can't follow through. You had 75% attendance though. Anything could happen on the day to the 25%

Original poster
DazedAndConfused2024 · 04/07/2024 17:25

Agree - however; the terms of the grant funding was that it had to be free.
thats the issue. Normally they would have paid £9 a ticket for this event. Not free.

OP posts:
Barleysugar86 · 04/07/2024 17:25

I am sorry- we always use our free tickets but it is sad when others don't. Well done for putting yourself out there.

In future it might be worth having a token amount per ticket - 50p or £1- which could even be donated at the end so people are more likely to take their commitment seriously.

Testina · 04/07/2024 17:26

When something is free, people don’t value it as much. Hence happily no-showing.

I bet all your places were taken by people who could afford to pay too.

Maybe next time run it in conjunction with local schools who invite their pupils based on how much they’ll benefit and how much they’d struggle to otherwise have the opportunity?

Newnamesameoldlurker · 04/07/2024 17:27

I read that there is a 20 something percent average DNA rate to NHS appointments. I think a quarter of people not being able to attend something they probably had every good intention of attending is just life, especially with kids. It doesn't mean the event isn't valued and valuable. The fact that all the tickets were booked says it's worthwhile. Totally appreciate you're demoralised OP but if all tickets were booked and 75% attended that does sound like a success to me. You're doing a great thing for those that did show up

malmi · 04/07/2024 17:27

I'd have thought that 75% turning up to an event as you're giving the tickets away for free would be a pretty good success. What turnup rate were you planning for?

In any case, don't be disheartened. Now you know how much to oversell next time so you get the right number turning up on the day.

booksunderthebed · 04/07/2024 17:28

Is it possible to 'sell' 25% more tickets than you need?

Also make it very easy to cancel maybe.

I run a non profit and charge for precisely this reason.

I also have a free option for many events, I noticed the people who choose the free option are far more likely to not turn up. Paying people want their money back so let me know beforehand.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 04/07/2024 17:29

Overbook next time? Assume 10% won’t turn up?

I think if you’re in this sector it’s not wise to get your raison de etrê from the attitude or gratitude of your beneficiaries.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 04/07/2024 17:29

I've done this once, we didn't attend because of a death in thd family and an emergency trip away. With all the suddenness we forgot to inform them and I felt horrendous when I remembered. I emailed to apologise and got a very short, curt reply, so I guess there were other no shows.

I genuinely was gutted to miss it!

Original poster
DazedAndConfused2024 · 04/07/2024 17:30

Testina · 04/07/2024 17:26

When something is free, people don’t value it as much. Hence happily no-showing.

I bet all your places were taken by people who could afford to pay too.

Maybe next time run it in conjunction with local schools who invite their pupils based on how much they’ll benefit and how much they’d struggle to otherwise have the opportunity?

We liaised with the local primary school and put printed notes into book bags of free school meal children.
take up rate amongst those families has been pitiful and yes, it’s all nice, middle class families

OP posts:
Original poster
DazedAndConfused2024 · 04/07/2024 17:31

TheWayTheLightFalls · 04/07/2024 17:29

Overbook next time? Assume 10% won’t turn up?

I think if you’re in this sector it’s not wise to get your raison de etrê from the attitude or gratitude of your beneficiaries.

Agree about the lack of gratitude. Feel quite empty about it all actually!

OP posts:
LadyFeatheringt0n · 04/07/2024 17:31

What actually was the event?

There are loads of things run off grant funding that people just aren't interested in. They survive because someone in an office nobly provides grant funding to some worthy group to put them on.

SouthLondonMum22 · 04/07/2024 17:35

I'd focus on the fact that the majority did attend and I assume had a wonderful time.

MintTwirl · 04/07/2024 17:36

OP I have organised similar things and it is galling when people just don’t turn up. The best way I’ve found to do it is have some kind of charge even if a returnable deposit or just a small amount to cover drinks and biscuits for example(obviously it workable with the funding). It is very upsetting though when you spend so much time to offer something for the community.

ViaRia01 · 04/07/2024 17:37

If you can’t charge a nominal fee then I think in your marketing next time (if there ever is a next time!) stress that the event is usually £9 but available for free. Run a waiting list and implore parents to cancel to free up these free spaces to children who can come.

Perhaps you already did all of that…? In which case, I don’t really know but you have my sympathy. Don’t give up though

Trucklepops · 04/07/2024 17:37

When I've been one of the "unfortunates", I haven't accessed free schemes because I cringed at the thought of being treated like or at the least feeling like a charity case.

The well off, middle class people have no such qualms so they're more likely to attend.

TheWayTheLightFalls · 04/07/2024 17:37

DazedAndConfused2024 · 04/07/2024 17:31

Agree about the lack of gratitude. Feel quite empty about it all actually!

Show quote history

I run a food bank. When we do HAF programs we go into the deprived schools and offer to host on the premises at no cost to them. Broadly works.

LadyFeatheringt0n · 04/07/2024 17:38

Also poorer families face so many barriers to these things

Booking optimistically but then getting to the day and finding you have no money left for bus fare.

Running out of food so having to choose to go grandma's for the day instead because you know she'll give the kids a meal.

Panicking on the day that the children's non school clothing is shabby/embarrassing and they'll look bad in a theatre etc

Relying on another non resident parent who doesn't show

magnoliablooms · 04/07/2024 17:38

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 04/07/2024 17:29

I've done this once, we didn't attend because of a death in thd family and an emergency trip away. With all the suddenness we forgot to inform them and I felt horrendous when I remembered. I emailed to apologise and got a very short, curt reply, so I guess there were other no shows.

I genuinely was gutted to miss it!

That's just rude of them

magnoliablooms · 04/07/2024 17:39

Maybe give people an easy out reminder the week before?

Tigerlilyxx · 04/07/2024 17:39

Our local family hub charges a five deposit which is returned upon attending for special events

MintTwirl · 04/07/2024 17:40

magnoliablooms · 04/07/2024 17:39

Maybe give people an easy out reminder the week before?

This is a good shout. A reminder email a few days beforehand that has a link to click if you can no longer come, then you can offer to others on a waiting list.

TheSilenceisDeafening · 04/07/2024 17:44

Was it indoors or outdoors? We had a free event booked yesterday. It was outdoors in our local park. The rain here was torrential yesterday and there was no option for us to cancel the free tickets.

Do you have the option to cancel the tickets? This might help reduce the no-shows.