Charity celebrates 50 years of 'transformative' holidays

Brad and Skyla were referred by the homeless charity Shelter to the Sheffield Family Holiday Fund A long-standing Sheffield charity is celebrating its 50th anniversary providing much-needed holidays and short breaks for local families facing adversity. Founded in 1976, the volunteer-led Sheffield Family Holiday Fund (SFHF) gives thousands of children and parents a chance to escape the pressures of daily life. The charity works closely with community partners to identify appropriate families many of whom are navigating illness, disability, bereavement, domestic abuse, or homelessness. Typical breaks include traditional seaside destinations including Cleethorpes, Filey, and Butlins in Skegness, as well as an annual festive trip to the Lyceum Theatre for the Christmas pantomime. Chair David Meadows is one of 12 volunteer trustees who runs the charity and said "it's amazing" to see the impact the holidays have on families. "A holiday is not a luxury for a family in crisis; it is a proven intervention that repairs fractured relationships, boosts children's confidence, and improves mental health". Meadows also recognises the impact the holidays can have on children's "connection" at school. "When teachers ask the class 'what have you done over your holidays?' children can share those stories and feel really proud about what they've done with their peers," he said. Skyla, 8, enjoyed a holiday playing on the beach in Skegness courtesy of the Sheffield Family Holiday Fund In 2025 alone, the charity sent 221 individuals (57 families, including 113 children) away for a break. Referrals came from frontline services, with 22% of support going to young carers, 19% to families raising a child with Special Educational Needs (SEN), and 19% to those facing homelessness. Over the last twenty years the Sheffield charity has partnered with the national Family Holiday Charity who then work directly with families recommended through community groups including Sheffield Young Carers Project, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Shelter, and Zest. According to recent data from the national charity, 62% of families supported had never had a holiday before and 93% of families reported an improvement in their children's mental health. Yemi, a mother of four energetic boys and her husband Temitayo also benefitted from a SFHF holiday to Skegness. One family who recently benefitted from a holiday was Brad and his eight-year-old daughter Skyla who is autistic and has ADHD. After a relationship breakdown Brad and Skyla moved in with his mother and became a full-time carer for both. He then discovered he had suffered multiple strokes which affected his eyesight. The homeless charity Shelter referred the pair, who enjoyed a week in Skegness on Skyla's birthday for a weekend of swimming, arcades, and "letting their hair down". For Brad, the impact was simple but profound. "It was just good to see my daughter smiling after all the stress we've had to go through" he said. Shortly after arriving back in South Yorkshire the father and daughter were able to move into their first permanent home. Yemi and husband Temitayo say their youngest son Ayosubomi's behaviour improved at school after their holiday Yemi, a mother of four energetic boys and her husband Temitayo also benefitted from a SFHF holiday to Skegness. "It was our very first holiday as a family, and when we found out we were going, we were so happy" she said. "For my boys, it was their first time on a train, and they were beyond excited," she said. She said her youngest child, Ayosubomi, was a "lockdown baby" and had missed out on interaction with other children. Yemi said the holiday had a "wonderful outcome". "He came home from school and told me about how he's been playing nicely with other children and sharing toys. "His behaviour has improved so much, and I'm incredibly proud of him". Helen Bolt the family services manager for Sheffield Young Carers who refers families to the charity describes the holidays as "transformative". "They create space for positive shared memories, something many families may not otherwise have the opportunity to do." "They help improve family functioning and emotional wellbeing long after the holiday ends." Your Voice Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds , catch up with the latest episode of Look North Children to benefit from holiday food vouchers 'We set up a breakfast club for parents at our nursery'