Poor take up of free child activities

[DazedAndConfused2024]

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’

As someone who works with disadvantaged families and families from low socio-economic background, this is incredibly common. Sending out reminders the day before and on the day of the event activity often works, but that can be time consuming. I can understand your frustration.

I thought you were going to say no one showed up! A 75% attendance rate is actually pretty good. Not child-related, but I am involved in bookable-but-free events and we never assume or get 100% attendance. Try not to be too disheartened - focus on the 75% who did turn up and next time offer more tickets than places.

Yeah this is why people don’t do things. I have so many great ideas but just not worth doing them.

75% is pretty good. Just oversell next time. As a comparison, no show for running races is similar and people have paid for those so you’d think they’d turn up. I went to one recently where they sold 175 places and only had 100 starters.

This sounds like a lovely thing to have done OP, and lots of people will have benefited from your hard work on it. I’m sorry some people didn’t come but overall it sounds a success

I think better to make a small charge for these things. Say £2 per family or per adult or something. It will be more valued and it doesn't need to be completely free to be available to poor people. But yes 75% sounds like a great turnout! I think your expectations were too high.

Some families won't bother to look in book bags. A text to the parents would be a better way of catching them.

@Noosnom how would the OP have the phone numbers of people to text them?
I read it as the flyer in the bookbags was essentially advertising the event and they had to apply for the tickets - which people did but 25% didn't turn up.

I voted YANBU, because I understand your disappointment, but I think you need to manage your expectations; 3/4 of the target audience showed up - well done!

In the past when running events like this I’ve put in a refundable deposit or a lunch that’s charged (with a low income waiver) as people just don’t show when it’s paid.

Just reread 25% no show for a free event is really good. In future maybe just allow an over book of 10%.

75% attendance is an incredible result, you should be pleased.

People don't value things they haven't paid for, "Oh that, it's free - it's not worth anything". So they don't feel as invested in turning up, and they don't think there's any value in returning the ticket for someone else.

I had to re-read you post, I could understand if you were disappointed if it was 75% no-show.

You've had some great advice here OP. I agree 75% attendance is great.
I sometimes organise stuff and one thing I notice is a real class difference in how much notice people like.
Better off people will respond to advertising 2-3 weeks in advance. Leave it any later and they'll already have plans.
Poorer people make plans for the next 2-3 days. Tell them any earlier and something will "come up" in between times. Or they'll simply forget.
(This is a massive generalisation of course! But I've found it works as a rule of thumb)
The answer, as PP have said, is flyers ahead of time and a ring round a day or two before.

I know it feels horribly disappointing, OP, but honestly, 75% is a really good turnout for a free event. Congratulations on making something happen, and I'm sure those children who saw the performance had a great time.