Covid Christmas stoking family anxiety ahead of festive season

• As Wales heads for a Covid-hit Christmas, new Action for Children research with parents and kids reveals heavy mental health toll on families – especially those struggling with money
• Children’s poll finds over half fear a difficult family Christmas, saying their parents will be worried about making it a happy time. The pandemic is also leaving them anxious, scared of illness and death, lonely, and angry
• In-depth investigation and video diaries with vulnerable families finds children witnessing their parents’ struggles with money, mental health, relationships and health fears 

New research reveals the stress and misery of many families in Wales in the run up to Christmas with over half of children in Wales surveyed (56%) believing their parents will be worried about making it a happy time for their family¹, according to new polling released today (Monday 30 November) by Action for Children. 

Action for Children worked with YouGov on a survey of over 1,000 UK parents and 1,000 children which lays bare the heavy financial toll felt by a new wave of parents who have never needed help but are now struggling. Nearly half (46%) of parents on Universal Credit surveyed are facing their first ever Christmas on the benefit². Of these mums and dad, a massive 41% wish they could cancel Christmas³ while more than half (55%) reported plans to delay paying household bills, borrow money or sell belongings to pay for Christmas celebrations⁴. 

The polling also showed how deeply children surveyed in Wales are impacted:

• Half of children surveyed in Wales (47%) were reporting anxiety⁵
• More than a third (38%) feared getting ill or dying⁶
• Almost a third (32%) were feeling lonely⁷
• A quarter of children felt (25%) angry⁸

As the charity launches its Christmas Secret Santa campaign to help the country’s most vulnerable children, it also explored the effects of the pandemic on families supported by the charity’s Emergency Fund through an in-depth investigation.  

These in-depth interviews found every family having to make difficult decisions about how to meet their basic needs. With Coronavirus restrictions increasing living costs, most families reported cutting back on essentials like food to put fuel in the car or falling behind with household bills.  One family had already lost their home and others fear they could soon lose theirs. Nearly every parent reported concerning new behaviours in their children such as anger and fear, with some children suffering panic attacks. The pressure for many has been increased by the fact they have a new baby, an unwell child, someone in the home with a disability or because they have to shield.

National Director for Wales, Brigitte Gater, said: “Christmas should be a time of happiness but for many there will be fears over keeping a roof over the family’s head and ensuring that there is enough food to go round –  the impact on the mental health of parents and their children cannot be underestimated.

“2020 has been a challenging year for everyone. Many of the families and young people we work with were already struggling and only “just coping” before Coronavirus. However, since the outbreak, there has been a substantial escalation of need, meaning many of those same families and young people are on the cusp of crisis.

“I’m so proud of our frontline workers who have been so resilient, committed and creative in ensuring we could continue supporting families at this challenging time.  Until every family can keep their child warm and well fed, we’ll always be there to help them – that’s why we’re asking people to donate to help us make a life-changing difference to vulnerable children this Christmas and beyond.”

Case study: Jane (47) and Deion (42) Griffithsand their young family from Connah’s Quay in North Wales have found the pandemic and its lockdowns extremely difficult to navigate with Deion’s work situation being very uncertain. He has just lost his job on the cusp of Christmas. Their eldest child Ellie (12), has autism, ADHD and personality disorder while their eldest son, Lewis (10), is registered deaf and blind and has cerebral palsy.  Jamie (8), also has autism while their youngest child, Aneira is five years old. The family access Action for Children services through their Flintshire Disability project.

Jane said: “Covid-19 has really affected us – everything’s been put on hold. Deion’s work at a recycling plant dried up back in March and as he is an agency worker, he didn’t qualify for furlough.  We’ve had to rely on Universal Credit and it’s been tough trying to feed everyone.  Deion has been back at work but has just lost his job again so with Christmas coming, we’re beginning to panic and wonder how we’ll get through.  As it’s been such a terrible year for the kids, we really wanted to give them a great Christmas but now we’ll be concentrating on making it through December to the next Universal Credit payment.

“Action for Children have been fantastic helping with food vouchers, toys and a bed from the emergency fund and we’ve been really grateful for that support.  Our support worker, Hayley, is always there to for us and the kids to talk to which is just as important as the financial help.  She’s been brilliant at keeping in touch and regularly puts on quizzes and games for the whole family on Zoom.  She’s also sent sweet packs and all sorts so it’s good to know they are always there. I really hope people give generously to Secret Santa and support families like us who really need it.”

Be a Secret Santa for a vulnerable child this Christmas text CHILD to 70607 or visit iamsanta.org.uk