To launch its annual Secret Santa campaign, the charity commissioned a Savanta ComRes poll of 2,700 UK working parents and their children (nearly 5,500 in total), as well as a nationwide poll of its frontline staff.
Findings from the survey of parents include:
- The majority (98 per cent) have worried about money in the past six months, while more than half (53 per cent) have worried often – resulting in trouble sleeping, worse mental health, getting upset and losing their temper with their children.
- One-in-five (a fifth) worry they won’t be able to afford any Christmas presents.
Action for Children says the findings highlight the financial burden families are facing and the emotional toll it is having on relationships, mental health and Christmas celebrations.
The polling also recognises the emotional pressures felt by the children and teenagers of the parents surveyed, revealing:
- Over a third (35 per cent) thinking their parents will be worried about not having enough money to pay the bills over the festive period.
- Over a quarter (26 per cent) saying they will offer their pocket or gift money to help their parents cover costs this Christmas.
The charity’s survey of its 200 frontline staff found that over two-thirds (69 per cent) are currently supporting a child, young person or family that is experiencing poverty or extreme financial hardship. Nearly half (45 per cent) reported that they were ‘extremely worried’ about the health and wellbeing of those they support due to their financial situation. One in ten (10 per cent) said they had donated their own household items of clothing to families.
Some of the issues highlighted by the charity’s frontline workers include:
- A family having to pawn all their electricals to buy food for their children
- A child who sleeps on a pile of blankets as its parents can’t afford a bed.
- A single parent to several children with additional needs working seven days a week trying to balance support for their children and earning enough money to make ends meet.
One worker asked a young girl if there was anything she would like from Santa this year, to which she replied: ‘I’m not asking for anything and I’m not writing it down on paper (then nodded towards her mum) because she would get too sad.’
‘Every day our frontline workers are helping families keep their heads above water.’
Melanie Armstrong, chief executive of Action for Children, commented, ‘For most of us the festive season is a happy time, yet as our shocking research shows there will be children all over the UK who face a very different Christmas this year.
‘Every day our frontline workers are helping families keep their heads above water, making sure they have the basics like hot meals and proper winter clothes, as well as offering emergency support to keep homes warm and help families pay the bills.
‘In yet another year when children and families have been pushed deeper into crisis, supporting them is more important than ever. Until every family can keep their child warm and well fed, we’ll be there to help them – that’s why we’re asking people to donate to help us make a life-changing difference to vulnerable children this Christmas and beyond. With your help we can be a vital lifeline for even more children across the UK.’
CASE STUDY
Leah Callaghan, aged 39, and her partner Stewart Hart, aged 40, live in Shropshire with their two-year-old daughter Nolah.
Leah works three and a half days a week and Stewart works full-time. Between them they earn too much to quality for universal credit, but receive child benefit payments of £87 a month.
Leah reports their household bills have increased by £400 since the summer, and they have been forced to change virtually every aspect of their lifestyle.
‘We only put the heating on at night for the little one so she can have her bath,’ explained Leah.
‘We don’t flush the toilet every time now, as I nearly had a heart attack when the water bill came last time. We use candles in the evening to light the room just to save on electricity, and luckily that also generates some heat.’
In the kitchen, the couple now never use the oven or the hob. They rely on an air-fryer and a microwave which use less power.
‘We sold everything we didn’t really need and put the money towards the gas and electric. Our bill was £65 when we first moved in two years ago. Now it’s £180 a month and we all know it’s going to get worse. The council tax was £120 for a while and now it’s gone up to £160,’ said Leah.
The couple have had to cut back on their food shopping and have started growing their own produce in the garden.
The family moved into their rent-to-buy property two years ago, with the goal of saving money to buy a house, but now are unable to.
‘I sometimes lie awake at night just going through my banking app wondering how we are going to live off what we have with bill after bill coming in. We’re just chasing each pay day. It feels degrading and leaves you feeling, like, “What’s the point?” I feel so bad because I would love Nolah to have so much more and for us to do so much more together’, said Leah.
The stress of the situation has affected both Leah and Stewart’s mental health, with both being prescribed anti-depressants
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