The advice comes from Kathryn Ford, the debt centre manager for Highworth & District Christians Against Poverty (CAP).
She hopes to alleviate some of the financial stress accompanying summer breaks.
“CAP’s 2025 client report, No Time to Lose, reveals that 38 per cent of clients said their children’s emotional well-being was affected, and 30 per cent reported negative impacts on their children’s mental health.
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“CAP’s Kathryn Ford, debt centre manager, says: ‘We understand the pressures parents who are struggling financially face in finding cheap activities for their kids over the summer, and we really want to help the parents in our local community improve their finances.
“‘We’re launching our Summer Savers campaign to raise awareness of the free debt help, money coaching, and job clubs that we offer, and provide a few money-saving tips to help.'”
Her advice comes with a set of practical tips for parents to consider during the summer months.
These include creating a summer action plan to avoid the stress of last-minute costs and making use of free activities such as play parks and beach visits.
She suggests local churches often organise free holiday clubs, providing children with fun and social interaction while giving parents a short break.
Ford also recommends decluttering to create more play space for the summer and selling unwanted items for some extra cash.
She encourages involving children in household chores, turning them into a fun activity while teaching them valuable skills.
Her final tip involves cooking and baking with children, creating a learning opportunity and a source of economical meals.
These practical suggestions are aimed at helping parents manage their finances more effectively over the summer break.
The CAP report highlights the challenges parents face, particularly single parents and those dealing with debt.
According to the report, 28 per cent of new CAP clients in 2024 were single parents, yet they make up only 7 per cent of the wider population.
A concerning 99 per cent of these single parents stated they were unable to save money.
For more information about the services and resources provided by CAP, including a series of Summer Savers blogs offering additional advice, visit capuk.org.
Local parents can contact Highworth & District CAP directly by emailing kathrynford@capuk.org or calling 07885 579876.
The initiative is a concerted effort by the churches in Highworth, alongside the debt help charity CAP, to ensure financial worries do not overshadow the school holidays.
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