NEW Action for Children research released today uncovers the cost-of-living turmoil facing millions of working families in the run-up to Christmas.
To launch its annual Secret Santa campaign to help the country’s most vulnerable children, the charity commissioned a unique Savanta ComRes poll of 2,700 UK working parents and their children (nearly 5,500 in total), as well as a nationwide survey of its frontline staff.
The research shows how the financial burden families in Wales are facing is taking an emotional toll on relationships, mental health and Christmas celebrations.
With the highest inflation rate in over 40 years, nearly all (99%) working parents in Wales the charity surveyed said they have worried about money over the past six months, with more than half (54%) having worried often. Of those:
- Six in ten (60%) have had trouble sleeping
- More than two fifths (42%) have tried to hide their money worries
- More than two-fifths (46%) have noticed their mental health worsen
- Almost a third (32%) have become upset or stressed in front of their children, and
- Nearly a quarter (22%) have lost their temper with their children.
The research also shows over a quarter (27%) of working parents that were surveyed in Wales worry they won’t be able to afford any presents this Christmas.
Despite their money worries, more than two in five (41%) said they will put on a brave face and try to act happy, with many children also thinking their mum and dad will be faking their festive cheer (45%).
The polling also recognises the severity of the situation and emotional pressures felt by the children and teenagers of the parents surveyed in Wales, with:
- More than a third of those who’d seen their parents worry in the last six months said they’d also seen their parents become upset or stressed in front of them due to money worries (35%) and a fifth (20%) experienced their parents losing their temper with them.
- Over a third (35%) thinking their parents will be worried about not having enough money to pay the bills over the festive period, and
- More than a quarter (26%) say they will offer their pocket or gift money to help their parents cover costs this Christmas.
As a charity that delivers children’s services, Action for Children is instead increasingly having to provide emergency relief to families as the cost-of-living crisis deepens.
In a nationwide survey of nearly 200 of its frontline staff during November, it found over two-thirds of those surveyed (69%) are currently supporting a child, young person or family that is experiencing poverty or extreme financial hardship. Nearly half (45%) reported they were extremely worried about the health and wellbeing of the children, young people and families they support due to their financial situation, and one in ten (10%) had even donated their own household items or clothing to families, such is the urgent need.
Three quarters (75%) of children in poverty are in working families with rates expected to worsen as the cost-of-living crisis continues.
Some of the issues highlighted by the charity’s frontline workers included:
- 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, and
- 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.”
Brigitte Gater, national director for Action for Children in Wales, said: “For most of us the festive season is a happy time, yet as our shocking research shows there will be children all across Wales who face a very different Christmas this year.
“Instead of enjoying a safe and happy time, many children in Wales will wake up on Christmas morning to no presents, food or warmth. 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 in Wales and across the UK.”
Kerry, and her partner Andre live in Neyland, Pembrokeshire with their three children, all diagnosed or in the diagnosis process for ASD. They are supported by the Action for Children Hawthorn Family Support service in Haverfordwest. Like millions of families across the UK, they are struggling to make ends meet this Christmas.
Andre is considering closing his craft business in the New Year as their two younger children have ASD and cannot be managed by one parent alone.
As former care workers, they have always worked and don’t like to receive handouts, but their lives have been turned upside down by the pandemic first of all and now the spiralling cost of living.
Andre reports their weekly shopping bills have increased by £60 since then, and they have been forced to change virtually every aspect of their lifestyle.
Kerry explained: “We’ve had a smart meter fitted now but we’re frightened of putting the heating on, so it goes on in the evening as it’s too cold for the kids.
“However, it won’t be on in the day. We’re having to think about things we didn’t think about before like fuel and shopping.”
Andre added: “We’re finding everything is going up and we’ve had to get a bigger car now because the kids fight and have to be separated. We had to borrow money for the car, but it costs me more in insurance and tax.”
Christmas is a huge concern for the family.
Kerry said: “In the past, we’d buy presents for a couple of friends and that’s gone. We’d have family over for a buffet and that’s gone. I feel sad about that but it’s all about the kids, that’s our focus because I wouldn’t want them to be feeling it. I want them to be excited at Christmas but it just adds the pressure on to us.
“We have a birthday for the youngest on the 3rd January too so we’ve got to sort that out – I’m dreading it all. It’s the heating that worries me more than anything. Once you get over one thing, there’s another. It never ends.”
Kerry was already struggling with depression, but her mental health has worsened in recent times. “It’s all reached a head as it’s a day-to-day struggle and then we have Christmas on top of that. That’s the thing that gets me, with financial worries and everything, it’s making me ill. You go week by week and there’s nothing. in the last two weeks I’ve started having panic attacks and I suffer with depression anyway but that’s much worse at the moment.”
She added: “Without having Steve from Action for Children to help us with forms, social workers, CAHMS and grants, we wouldn’t be able to get any of it done. It makes a massive difference to us. Action for Children have changed our lives really by coming in and supporting us. It’s given us the confidence we’re doing the right things and being so kind.”
To become a Secret Santa for Action for Children visit iamsanta.org.uk
