Working as a healthcare assistant around her children, while also caring for her unwell husband, Alice* faces impossible choices every month. The cost-of-living crisis means that without Family Action’s support, Christmas would be simply out of reach.
Alice lives close to one of Family Action’s FOOD clubs. Finding that you don’t need a referral and that for £4 a week she can take home a food box of tinned, fresh food and personal items worth £15, Alice often visits, especially around Christmas. The kitchen is homely and warm, and you can chat with other parents.
Here, she shares how her local Family Action FOOD club and Toy Appeal have become lifelines for her family.
Christmas is such a difficult time. Everything is just so expensive, the cost-of-living is just crazy.
I work part-time as a community healthcare assistant, but I’m also a full-time carer for my husband. He hasn’t been able to work as a paramedic since being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2020. We’re living in temporary accommodation provided by the council – we’ve been here for four years now, since we were evicted from private rented accommodation when the landlord wanted the house back.
I have four children – aged 7, 9, 11, and 16 – and I adore them all. I’m just trying my best, but we are really, really struggling.
The weekly lifeline
Sometimes I come with the children. It’s good to come when you are feeling low.
The staff are very friendly, caring, kind and patient. Whenever I have problems, I know I can speak to them, they’ll advise me and find a solution. My children like coming here.
The staff are very friendly, caring, kind and patient. Whenever I have problems, I know I can speak to them, they'll advise me and find a solution. My children like coming here.
When the bailiffs come knocking
I get into arrears with the council tax bill. As soon as you miss a payment, they penalise you. I clear one council tax bill, but I incur extra charges because I’ve missed payment. I pay it off and then I receive the next one, it’s a vicious circle.
I’ve had bailiffs at my door because of council tax bills and it was terrifying.
The impossible juggle
After I’ve paid the rent, bills and transport for school I have nothing left. I have no money left over at the end of each month. The electricity bill has gone up. The bills keep coming and I just push them to the corner.
School uniforms are very expensive. It’s really hard to get the grant from school. They want you to buy the items and they pay you back. My daughter is in sixth-form and it’s really sad that she doesn’t have more variety of clothes to wear like others in the class.
It’s incredibly hard when the children have school trips and you get a letter from the school saying mine is the last payment they’re waiting for. It’s not nice if your child is the only one not going.
I won’t be able to afford to buy the children’s Christmas presents. That’s why we always visit Santa’s Grotto at the centre, because they can see Santa for free, and I know they’ll get a present.
Christmas without the Toy Appeal
At Christmas, the FOOD club located in a local family centre transforms into a festive grotto.
I won’t be able to afford to buy the children’s Christmas presents. That’s why we always visit Santa’s Grotto at the centre, because they can see Santa for free, and I know they’ll get a present, which means I leave it up to them. Instead, I budget to try to save money so I can buy them a new outfit and try to take them to the cinema.
I would like to take the children to the cinema or even a night away for Christmas, but I know when I look in my pocket, there won’t be much money. So, we’ll have a nice dinner at home, play games and sing, if we can’t go out. The children like going to the football club during the holidays. I will just keep doing the best I can.
That’s why we always visit Santa’s Grotto at the centre, because they can see Santa for free, and I know they’ll get a present.
Alice’s family is one of millions across the UK facing severe financial pressures this winter. Our annual winter survey of 2,083 parents and carers found that a quarter were struggling to afford food, while almost a third were having problems paying energy and heating bills.
Sir David Holmes CBE, chief executive of Family Action, says:
The Government’s forthcoming Child Poverty Strategy is a huge opportunity holistically to address the wide range of issues that so many families are contending with, such as family income challenges, and the costs of food, housing, childcare and energy, in order to drive down child poverty. A programme of concerted action here could transform lives and communities.
In the meantime, we will also keep doing the best we can. Last year Family Action distributed over 12,000 gifts to children across the country.
*photos changed at Alice’s request
Can you help our frontline staff keep the magic of Christmas alive for a child or young person with nothing to open by donating to our Toy Appeal? Your donation will help families at Christmas and beyond.
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