Summer holidays fill families living in city’s most deprived areas with ‘dread’
‘I DO NOT EAT UNTIL MY CHILDREN HAVE FINISHED EATING’
It is frustrating. We are struggling with offering our son [an] education
MANY families are looking forward to trips abroad and warm days in an exotic location in the school summer holidays.
But for the people living in one of Nottingham’s most deprived areas, the summer break is viewed with anxiety and dread.
In St Ann’s, parents said they did not have the chance to “switch off”.
They are more concerned about putting food on the table.
Dawn Morrell, a working mum who has recently returned to her job, struggles to pay for her son’s childcare.
The 40-year-old said: “We have to pay £40 for four hours and he only goes once a week. We would love for him to go there more because it benefits him. It is frustrating. We are struggling with offering our son [an] education.”
Dawn works in a supermarket and added: “You get to notice the prices and what people can and cannot afford. It is just crazy.
“We have not been on a holiday for three years. We go to Skegness because that is the only thing that we can afford.
“We went to the farm today, and the bus journey was £4.20. That is a lot, and I am just not sure whether we can justify that money.”
Vivienne Murden, 60, who works in a children’s home, has not been on a holiday for five years.
She said: “I have met people in their 70s who cannot afford to retire, and I think that is really sad. “They brought their children up and cannot take a break. It is depressing. It is up to the Government, but the reality is sad for many people. The costs of everything are going up. You go to the supermarket today and get something for 99p and it is £1.25 the next day.
“For many of us, especially the elderly, it is a case of eating or heating.”
Mum-of-three Meanaz Wounas, 41, has to work extra hours. She added: “Everything has gone up and our wages stayed the same.
“We have been left with no other option but take on extra hours.”
Mrs Wounas thinks that some parents’ mental health has been affected because they “cannot switch off”.
“I always have to make sure that I have enough to pay my bills. After you have paid for everything, you just have to make sacrifices. We cannot afford to go on a family holiday.”
Shahd Anluola, who studies English to be able to apply for jobs, has not been able to visit her family in Libya for five years.
The 27-year-old, a mother of two from St Ann’s who receives universal credit, added: “My children are my family now. I do not eat until they have finished eating. I always think about providing food and clothes for them. Me and my husband always come last. I never had a family holiday.
“I would love for our situation to be different. I would love to be able to send my children to nursery, and get a job and have more money for my family.”
Nottingham City Council will give out over £3.5million to struggling pensioners, families and the city’s most vulnerable households to help with the rising cost-of-living crisis.
The council’s executive board formally accepted the cash from the Government’s Household Support Fund in April.
To support families, the 18,000 pupils entitled to free school meals were allocated £50 supermarket vouchers before the summer holidays began. Free holiday activity clubs providing free food are also available.
Councillor Adele Williams, deputy leader of the council, said: “It’s important that the funding and support reach the people who are in the greatest financial crisis.
“We recognise that energy or food vouchers, though much needed, are only temporary and partial relief to people. The bigger issue is helping people to find ways to manage longer term. So it is important that the conversations are held through support agencies and charities which can advise people about finances and wider support.”