This month we are looking at the summer holidays, and also thinking ahead to September and the new school year starting.

School Uniform

Every September there are stories in the media about children who have been sent home for having the wrong kind of shoes or uniform, or ‘extreme’ hairstyles- but did you know that schools have to obey certain uniform rules themselves, including that they must make second hand uniform available to all parents.

You can find out more about what schools have to do to help parents on this website: School Uniform - What You Need To Know

We know first-hand how expensive it can be to buy uniform, shoes, bags, coats and stationery for the new school year. If you are worrying about how to afford it all, we may be able to help you with one of our ‘Back To School Loans’ A low-cost loan with affordable repayments, it can help reduce your stress and help you feel ready for whatever the new school year has to throw at you. 

Did you know that all our loans come with free insurance – while nobody wants to think about passing away, especially when you have small children, if the worst should happen, your loan will be paid off by this insurance. This same free insurance will also pay out the value of your savings with us, on top of the savings themselves. So if you had £500 saved up, £1000 would be paid out.

Fill Your Holidays With Fun

If you are worried about finding things to do with your children during the holidays without breaking the bank, we have lots of ideas to share! Keep an eye on our social media throughout the summer, but to get you started:

  • Essex Libraries run a free summer reading challenge with stickers and a certificate. If your child isn’t a big reader, they can still take part – audio books, graphic novels and comics all count!
  • It is free to join the library, and children pay no overdue fees
  • Libraries love children and often run free activity sessions – the days of grumpy librarians saying SSSSHHH are long gone!
  • For more information about your local library and what is on, see here: Essex Libraries
  • Essex Country Parks are a great place to get some fresh air and a change of scene. Most make a charge for parking, but you can take a picnic to keep costs down.
  • Cudmore Grove is our favourite – on Mersea Island, it has fantastic views, a brilliant playground, AND you can go paddling!
  • Many of the Country Parks have free themed trails for families – You can go hunting for Stick Man at Weald Country Park, or Gruffalo hunting at Thorndon.
  • For a list of country parks and play trails see here: Kids Play Trails In Essex
  • The £2 bus fare cap has been extended until October 31st, so if you don’t drive, or want a cheap way to get around, plan a day out by bus. Up to two children under 5 can travel free with each adult.
  • More information on the price cap and routes can be found here: First Bus Essex - Fare Cup and Routes Govt £2 Single Bus Fare Cap From 1st Jan to 31st October 2023. | First Bus

Food For Thought

Sometimes it feels like snacks are my children’s favourite food group. Feeding children can feel like a never ending task in the holidays, and if household funds are tight, it can be another source of stress. Lots of restaurants and supermarkets have realised this, and are offering children-eat-free/for £1 offers over the holidays – here is a list: Kids Eat Free or Cheap (moneysavingcentral.co.uk)

We know for some families, eating out isn’t an option. If you are entitled to free school meals, you may be able to get free extra help during school holidays – see here for more information: Free School Meals (moneysavingexpert.com) Don’t forget that you need to renew your application for free school meals every year, and if your child is going into year three they won’t automatically get a free school meal any more, unless you apply.

Don’t forget there are also some really good apps out there, like Too Good To Go, and Olio, which can help you make your grocery budget go further, and there may also be a community fridge in your area. Community fridges are community spaces where surplus food from supermarkets is shared to avoid it going to waste. To see if there is one near you, use this link: Find Your Local Community Fridge Community Fridge Network (hubbub.org.uk)

Starting Saving Young

One of the best things you can do for your children is to help them to develop the savings habit early in life. All children who live in Essex are entitled to a junior savings account with us, and we can also help your child’s school set up a School Savers Club.

If you would like more information about a Back To School Loan, a Junior Savings Account, or a School Savers Club – or any of our other savings and loans – just send us an email and we can help.

Although this newsletter is written with our members in mind, we would love more people to know about how we can help them – so if you know anybody who might find any of the information in this newsletter useful, please share it with them.

Have a lovely summer

The Holdfast Team