Break Free

Eradicating holiday hunger

Break Free is a holiday activity programme that targets holiday hunger by providing high-quality activities and free food for young people aged 8 – 13 across areas with the most need in South Bristol.

Families experiencing financial pressures are not only at greater risk of food insecurity, family stress, isolation, and poor health during the school holidays, but they also miss out on the so-called social “enrichment activities” such as trips, sporting, cultural and learning activities enjoyed by better-off young people. Rather than looking forward to the school holidays, they have become for many a stressful time, when families who already struggle find it even harder to provide for their young people.

Take a look at a recent trip

How does it work?

The programme is part of a Bristol-wide project called Your Holiday Hub. It delivers a range of great activities at the same time as alleviating holiday hunger.

Whilst delivering fun and inspiring sessions, our trained staff also provide the young people with breakfast and lunch to ensure they get at least two meals throughout the day.

Our Holiday Camps

We deliver high quality holiday camps throughout South Bristol. Break Free centres help youngsters to Break Free from:

Being hungry during the school holidays or being unable to cover the costs of lunches during these times.
Having nothing to do during the holidays.
Having nowhere to go other than staying at home or out on the streets.
Having no-one to talk to.
Having to pay for high quality services
Screens and boredom.

Break Free is based on years of working in communities in South Bristol, feedback from young people and families, and our experience of what works. It is a simple concept that utilises a great consortium of partner agencies who want to be a part of the solution, led and delivered by organisations who understand these struggles and have the existing relationships with the young people, families, and partners to deliver the programme.

Our Impact

Years of the programme

839

Attendees

1000

Free meals provided

Helped

839

Young People in 2022

87%

are on free meals

With a further

5%

at risk

97%

said they would come again

95%

said our staff helped them to enjoy themselves

88%

would recommend to a friend

87%

said they now want to visit new places

83%

are interested in things they didn’t know before

83%

said they are happier speaking to children they don’t know

80%

learnt new things

80%

have made new friends

70%

visited places they haven’t been too before

Thank you for the fabulous work you do with our children. My daughter loves coming to your Break Free days. Alisha loves her time with you guys. She has made some lovely friends. Thank you for making her feel welcome and included. Awesome job!

Alysha’s mum