Many families are facing tough times and can’t access a holiday together. We aim to make the biggest impact by supporting those who need it most.

We can only accept applications from families who meet all of the following criteria:

• The household income is less than £24,000.*
• The family has not had a holiday together in the last four years.
• There is at least one child under 18 who will go on the holiday.

*Income excludes non-means tested benefits

Funded Holiday programme

For our main holiday programme, we are pleased to be working with Inspire Travel, who offer a wide range of holidays, including self-catered caravans, lodges, and cottages across the UK. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful countryside retreat or a fun-filled getaway by the sea, they have something to suit every family’s needs and preferences. Usually, our funded holidays cover the cost of self-catered accommodation for up to 4 nights, with a contribution towards travel and food costs during the holiday.

Gifted Breaks programme 

At times, families may be offered a holiday through our Gifted Breaks programme, which is made possible thanks to the generosity of our travel partners who donate these holidays. These holidays vary in style and destination, but are always family-friendly. As each offer is unique, full details are shared at the time so families can understand what’s included and decide whether it’s the right fit for them before booking.

Day Trip Tickets

These tickets are kindly donated by UK attractions and give families the opportunity to enjoy a fun, memorable day out, such as a visit to a theme park, zoo, or special event. When these opportunities become available, we’ll contact registered referrers directly with the details.

If you're a family...

You’ll need someone who works with your family to refer you. We call this person a ‘referrer,’ they must support you or your family professionally and you should have regular contact with them. They’ll be there to guide you through the process and help you make the most of your holiday.

Your referrer must work for a registered charity or a statutory service provider. They’re usually someone who works in these types of organisations:

• Registered charities that provide services related to families.
• Government provided children's and family support departments such as social services and community health teams.
• Family support NHS services.
• Schools, nurseries, and children’s centres.
• Registered refuge and domestic abuse support agencies. 

The people who might support you in these organisations often have roles like:

• Family support worker
• Social worker
• Health visitor
• Teacher
• Refuge support worker

After you’ve chosen who your referrer will be, ask them to come to our website and register as a referrer with us. Once they’ve registered, they’ll receive all the information they need to submit a holiday application for your family.

If you're a referrer...

You'll need to register first and that means you'll be agreeing to support the family in a number of ways. For more information on what the role entails and for the registration link please head to our Be a Referrer page.

Once you have registered with us you will receive an email with all the information you need to submit a holiday application for the family, including the application form link.

If you're already registered, to refer a family you’re supporting for a funded holiday, use the link provided in your referrer registration email or in our regular email updates. If you can’t find one of these emails, please contact us at hello@familyholidaycharity.org.uk 

1. Application submission- Once your application is submitted, our Experiences Team will review it and work to match it with available funding. Applications stay active for up to 12 months.
    
2. Holiday offer - If a holiday can be offered, your referrer will receive the details via email and share them with you. You can then decide if the offer is right for your family and go ahead with the booking. 
    
3. Email updates - After booking, we’ll keep you updated with helpful emails about your holiday so you’re fully prepared and ready to enjoy your trip.
    
4. Feedback surveys - We will also get in touch before and after your holiday with surveys which you are required to complete as part of your holiday offer
    

Please note, as a charity relying on voluntary donations, our funding varies each year and isn’t guaranteed therefore not all holiday applications may result in a holiday being offered. Please be aware of this when submitting an application.

If we are unable to offer your family a holiday after the 12 month period, we will let your referrer know via email.

Here, you'll find answers to some of the most common questions about our funded holidays. We'll also share important information via email throughout the process, so don’t worry if you don’t find everything you need here.