Over 3,500 free childcare spaces provided in school holidays in the last year as Salvation Army aids struggling Oldham families

The Salvation Army provided 3,587 spaces over the last 12 months during school holidays for children across Oldham as families continued to face financial pressures.  

As the rise in the cost of living pushed more people into poverty, the Salvation Army relieved holiday hunger over the last 12 months for school-aged children during 34 days of school holidays including Easter, summer, Christmas and half terms.

Families from across Oldham, whose children usually access free school meals during term time, were able to use the service with sessions offering food, activities and childcare support from 10am-2pm.

A hot lunch and snacks were provided each day as well as arts and craft workshops, sport and free play - with families on the lowest of incomes benefiting from the vital support.

Kim Rogers, community engagement co-ordinator at the Salvation Army in Fitton Hill, said: “Increasing every-day costs and high energy prices combined have caused a lot of families within our community financial heartache over the past year.

"For families whose finances are already stretched through meeting the most basic needs, like keeping a roof over their children’s heads or food on the table, the school holidays arriving can quickly make life very costly.

"Food poverty becomes real with worries of where the next meal is coming from at the front of people’s minds.

“We know that during school holidays people are cutting back on heating or electric use so that they can feed their families, or dropping hours at work and ultimately wages so their children can be cared for when the schools break.

"These are choices we felt people shouldn’t have to make and so we wanted to offer a safe, secure and positive outlet for families to access and we’re proud that our holiday club gives a bit of salvation for those that are struggling, with many calling it a lifeline.” 

The Salvation Army worked closely with local schools and its own networks to make sure the most vulnerable families would benefit from the provision and families could also self-refer for support.

Millie, who is 33 and from Fitton Hill, is a single mother to three children and has accessed the Salvation Army’s holiday club in the past.

She said: “Once rent and bills are paid for I really need to budget when it comes to food and it’s a struggle to have anything left over for clothes that we may need.

"Days out and treats are just not possible.

“My children enjoy free school meals but then once the schools close, it’s extra money that I must find so they’re fed with lunch and snacks throughout the day.

"My children are always fed, without doubt, but the summer holidays are particularly tough; it’s daunting as they approach, and everything is getting dearer.

"My budgeting skills are really tested and this support from the Salvation Army is a God send and means for one day, I don’t need to worry.”

The Salvation Army applied and received funding from the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) fund, through Oldham Council, to cover costs at each session and provided church volunteers to run the club safely and efficiently.

The provision was accessible to children from the age of five to eight with a parent or guardian present.

Local housing association ForHousing works closely with the Salvation Army in Oldham Fitton Hill and also supplied funding for some of the sessions.

For anyone wishing to support The Salvation Army’s work in Oldham Fitton Hill, donations can be made by clicking here, and while all donations are welcome, people are encouraged to donate only what they can afford.

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