800 families facing tough times to be offered holidays

The government has announced that families struggling financially, or facing illness, isolation or bereavement, will have an opportunity for a weekend break thanks to a new fund.

More than 800 holidays and trips for families over the next few months will be funded by the £600,000 ‘England for Everyone’ fund. The fund will support parents, carers, and young people experiencing difficult times to get away, relax and enjoy themselves on a weekend break in England.

Families who may never have had a holiday can be referred to the charity for a weekend trip and will have a choice of where they will visit. Referees could include people such as social workers and teachers, and holiday vouchers would be provided to help cover transport, accommodation and food.

Research has shown that short breaks can have huge benefits, with 85 percent of families finding children who had a break were going to school more regularly and 84 percent saying children were less isolated and getting more involved in their community since returning home.

Tourism Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “Holidays provide a vital opportunity for people to reset, spend quality time together and improve their mental well-being. But for many families taking a break can be impossible. Following the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are helping families facing particularly tough times to have a much-needed break while supporting our brilliant tourism and hospitality sector.”