In Kind Direct and Save the Children Launch ‘Summer of Play’ to Support Families

THIS summer, In Kind Direct and Save the Children are partnering for a third consecutive year to support children and families across the UK during the school holidays. Working alongside a range of other organisations, In Kind Direct and Save the Children’s Summer of Play programme will help to provide children with the products, activities and ideas they need to be happy, healthy and active this summer, and go back to school or nursery ready to learn.

During the campaign, In Kind Direct will be distributing products donated by their dedicated corporate partners to their network of over 6,000 UK charitable organisations, as well as hosting free and low-cost activities on their website to help keep kids entertained throughout the summer. Save the Children will provide grant funding to 33 local community partners to organise summer activities for families experiencing low income that are tailored to community needs. During Summer of Play 2023, grant funding benefited over 6,000 children across the UK.

Many families struggle to make ends meet, especially amid challenges such as the increased cost of living. For many households, the summer holidays are a period of stress and worry instead of a time of fun and freedom. Parents across the UK told the two organisations that, sadly they felt embarrassed and ashamed that their children had to go without and were cutting back on food for themselves to try and provide for their children over the summer.

In Kind Direct and Save the Children believe that every child should have the opportunity to play during the summer months. Together they are encouraging charitable organisations to sign up to In Kind Direct’s network to access the products they need to give children and families a Summer of Play and to visit their website for access to free play ideas and resources. Further information on how to support Save the Children’s work across the UK can be found here.

Rosanne Gray, the charity’s CEO, commented:

“We are so proud to be working with our long-standing partner Save the Children, to ensure children and their families are supported throughout the summer holidays. We will be distributing much-needed products like arts and crafts, toys and games, and sharing free and low-cost ideas for a worry-free summer. Every child deserves to have fun during the summer months and return to school feeling ready to learn.”

Gavin Benn, Head of Community Investment at Save the Children said:

“The number of children growing up in poverty has risen to 4.3 million, or 9 in a classroom of 30. During the Summer, this means that some children who should be having fun are struggling – because parents can’t afford to provide breakfast, or the financial stress they’re under, takes its toll on their kids, however much they might try to shield them from it. The Summer of Play programme emphasises the importance of accessible and affordable summer activity in local communities, ensuring all children have memorable and engaging summer experiences.”

If you’re a charitable organisation supporting children and families this summer and need access to arts and crafts, toys and books, join In Kind Direct’s network today.

Find out more about Save the Children’s work across the UK here.