Perthshire families get Summer help with new Guide

Anti-poverty group aims to make Summer better

Families under added pressure during the summer holidays are being urged not to struggle alone, as Perth and Kinross Anti-Poverty Taskforce launches a one-stop hub of support, activities and financial help.

With schools shut, food and children’s activities costs can soar, often made harder by juggling work or care.

A recent survey by Coram Family and Childcare estimated summer holiday childcare alone can cost parents over £1000 per child, with £100 spent in 2020 on food and essentials now requiring £127 to match that value.

One-stop help

Now Perth and Kinross Anti-Poverty Taskforce has pulled together a one-stop summer guide for families ‘Making the Summer better’, pointing people towards key supports.

The multi-agency group of 15 public and private partners grew from positive lessons of the pandemic when organisations worked together to co-ordinate lifeline support across the region.

Summer resources the Taskforce is sign-posting people towards include key family payments through Scottish Government which are available to those who are eligible.

Parent-to-parent supports, multi-language cost of living advice, kids clubs and wraparound care is included, as is free and low-cost fun activities to help kids and parents.

Amongst activities listed are free daily swimming sessions and weekend family sports activities at council venues across Perthshire as part of the ‘Summer of Sport’ programme, alongside craft afternoons and soft play sessions.

Summer challenges

“Summer holidays can be a tricky time for all parents,” said Shaheena Din, Project Chair.

“Parents want their children to be able to have fun and enjoy their time off school but, in reality, this means trying to juggle childcare options that don't always fit if they are working.

“It can also mean paying for activities that are so expensive which can take away the fun of planning and the constant pressure of trying to do it all.

“While individual circumstances differ, summertime can bring challenges for many. That is why, if people are finding things difficult, they should not be afraid to seek the help they are entitled to. They won’t be the only person feeling that way.

“There is a lot of good, confidential work going on to support people, both in Perth itself and in rural Perthshire. If one of our partners can’t help, they will point to others that can.”

Making an impact

Despite 30 000 people in Perth and Kinross living with hardship, cross-agency actions are showing tangible results, with 530 families and 950 children receiving one-to-one support through family wellbeing services in 2025/26.

One Taskforce partner making a difference to young and adult carers in the region is PKAVS, which provides carers support and respite as well as summer activity programmes.

PKAVS also oversees The Big Hoose, a referral project in Perthshire which provides essential household items to families with children and young people under 25 who are struggling with the cost of living.

“Summertime can be difficult for young people who are carers because there is no respite. School is classed as a respite for some of them, so it can be hard for them to get a break.

“One of the challenges is offering enough activities but it is important for organisations to come together and increase capacity on what they can offer, and for people to know what is available,” said Gail Hamilton, Parent Carers Respite Development Support Worker at PKAVS.

As well as co-ordinating summer resources, the Taskforce is also asking other agencies and businesses to contact them if running free or low-cost activities.

The Guide will be updated over the summer on the Anti-Poverty Taskforce website.