A helping hand for families this summer — help us spread the word
Extra costs in the summer holidays can quickly add up. Support is available.
Many families across Scotland face financial pressure when schools close for the summer. Extra costs for food, childcare, clothing and activities can quickly add up, and for families already managing on a low income, the summer holidays can be one of the most challenging times of year.
The good news is that there is support available.
What support is available?
Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Foods
Social Security Scotland provides a range of payments to help families with everyday costs. The Scottish Child Payment is worth over £112 every four weeks for each eligible child up to the age of 16. Best Start Foods provides a prepaid card worth up to £44.80 every four weeks to help buy healthy food during pregnancy or when a child is under three.
Together with Best Start Grants, this package of support could be worth around £26,000 by the time a child turns 16.
Holiday support through local councils
The Scottish Government provides £21.75 million annually to local authorities to support households eligible for free school meals during the school holidays. Families don't have to wait until the start of term — applications can be made at any time.
Encourage the families you support to contact their local council as soon as possible.
A £20 million investment is bringing free and low-cost activities to communities across Scotland this summer, including football, rugby, padel, swimming, cycling and athletics. Activities will be hosted by schools, clubs, sporting bodies and local authorities, giving children and young people the chance to stay active, make friends and have fun close to home.
Community support
Home-Start has trained volunteers located across Scotland who offer practical and emotional support to parents from before birth through to school age. They provide one-to-one and group support in a nurturing environment, helping families build confidence, reduce isolation and create positive experiences for their children.
Hiba, a parent of three from Knightwood, Glasgow, said:
"The support from Scottish Child Payment and Home-Start helps us afford more summer activities for our children. It gives them opportunities to have fun, make friends, and feel more connected to their community. This support makes the summer holidays a much happier time for our family."
How you can help
If you work with families, you are often the most trusted point of contact for the people who need this support most.
Every conversation counts. Helping one family find out about the support available could make a difference to their summer - and beyond.
Useful links
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Full cost of living support information Help with the cost of living - Cost of Living Support Scotland
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Scottish Child Payment: Scottish Child Payment - mygov.scot
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Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods: Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods - mygov.scot
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Holiday support through local councils: Help during the school holidays - mygov.scot
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Scotland's Summer of Sport: Summer of sport - sportscotland the national agency for sport in Scotland
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Home-Start in Scotland: Home-Start in Scotland | Home-Start UK