Family Holiday Association

Who we are

The Family Holiday Association is only national charity dedicated to providing seaside breaks and day trips for families struggling with some of the toughest challenges life can bring.

For over 40 years, the Family Holiday Association has provided breaks for UK families struggling with issues such as disability, severe and sudden illness, bereavement, mental health issues and domestic violence.

The charity was founded on the belief that holidays are a lifeline, not a luxury, and this is a key principle that survives to this day. The majority of families we help have never before been on a family holiday.

The evidence shows that spending time together away from their daily struggles can be life-changing for the families we workWe help UK families struggling with problems such as severe and long-term illness, bereavement, mental health issues, disability and domestic violence. All the families we support are referred to us by someone already working with them in a supporting role.

Our referral network includes teachers, health visitors, social workers and other charities such as Barnado’s and Shelter. By working with referrers, we can be sure that the funds we raise help the families who will benefit most.

The types of breaks we provide involve short trips to the British seaside and days out, either by themselves or as part of an organised group.

For many of the children we help, a seaside break offers the chance to paddle in the sea, build a sandcastle or fly a kite for the very first time. The joy of simply seeing other people smile can lift them out of their everyday cares and worries, and enrich their lives forever. Families like Sophie's...

Sophie, aged 12, is the main carer for her mum Ruth, who is registered disabled. Sophie is a resilient person, but being a young carer is putting enormous strain on her own mental and physical health.

We helped Sophie and Ruth to visit the seaside, and Sophie was able to run around and play, and feel like a child again. This brief respite helped them create long-lasting happy memories to draw on when times get tough.th.

We help UK families struggling with problems such as severe and long-term illness, bereavement, mental health issues, disability and domestic violence. All the families we support are referred to us by someone already working with them in a supporting role.

The types of breaks we provide involve short trips to the British seaside and days out, either the family by themselves or as part of an organised group.

We help families like Sophie's...

... and families like Sara's