Our Family Directory is a one-stop hub designed to support children, young people and their families in leading healthier, happier lives. Here you’ll find easy access to trusted resources, practical wellbeing tips, local activities, and guidance on nutrition, physical activity and emotional health. We also offer clear signposting to community organisations, specialist services and professional support, ensuring families can quickly find the help they need.
Whether you’re looking for advice, opportunities to get active, or referrals to dedicated support networks, our directory brings everything together in one accessible place – supporting the aims of the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) programme and empowering families to thrive.
Our Family Information Service section helps parents, carers, and young people quickly find reliable, up-to-date support in their local area. Every council in the UK provides a FIS, offering guidance on childcare, early years support, SEND services, family wellbeing, parenting advice, financial help, activities, and community programmes.
To access the information relevant to your area, simply search ‘Family Information Service’, along with the name of your local council on Google. This will take you directly to your local FIS website, where you can explore tailored resources, contact details, and the full range of services available to support your family.
Citizens Advice provides free, confidential, and independent support to help individuals and families navigate a wide range of challenges. From money and debt advice to housing, employment rights, benefits, family issues and consumer support, their experts offer clear guidance and practical steps to help you move forward. You can access their full range of resources or find your nearest local branch by visiting: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
If you need help managing essential costs such as heating, food, or other household necessities, the Household Support Fund can provide valuable financial support – especially during times of unexpected hardship or increased cost-of-living pressures. This fund is administered locally by many councils across the UK, and eligibility criteria vary depending on your area. To find out if you qualify and discover how to apply in your location, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/household-support-fund-local-restrictions-guidance-and-resources
Your council may also offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays. To find out more and check your eligibility, visit: https://www.gov.uk/cost-living-help-local-council
Universal Credit is the UK Government’s benefit payment designed to help with living costs for people who are on a low income or out of work. You can check your eligibility and apply online via the official government website: https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit. If you need help completing the application – for example if you’re not comfortable using the computer – you can get free support through Citizens Advice’s ‘Help to Claim’ service.
Tax-Free Childcare is a government-backed scheme that helps working families with the cost of approved childcare. For every £8 you pay into your online childcare account, the government adds an extra £2 – up to £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for children with disabilities). You can use it to pay for nurseries, after-school clubs, holiday clubs, childminders and other registered childcare providers. Learn more and apply through HMRC on the official GOV.UK website: https://www.gov.uk/tax-free-childcare
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to children’s and young people’s mental health. They provide vital guidance, resources and support for parents, carers, and young people who may be struggling with mental health challenges. From practical advice on anxiety, behaviour, and wellbeing to urgent help in crisis situations, YoungMinds works tirelessly to ensure every young person has access to the support they need. You can explore their guidance and support services here: https://www.youngminds.org.uk
We understand that feeding a family on a tight budget can be challenging. That’s why we’ve highlighted ways for children to eat for free or at a reduced cost when dining out. Many restaurants and cafes across the UK offer Kids Eat Free deals, helping families enjoy meals together without stress of extra costs. By taking advantage of these deals, families can enjoy a healthy, balanced meal while saving money, making it easier to manage household budgets during challenging times. For up-to-date information on participating venues and offers, visit: https://moneysavingcentral.co.uk/kids-eat-free
We understand that families can sometimes struggle to put food on the table. Food banks provide essential support by offering emergency food parcels, practical advice, and links to other local services. To find your nearest food bank, and to search by postcode to locate participating food banks across the UK, visit: https://www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank. Alternatively, may councils maintain lists of local food banks and community support services via: https://www.gov.uk/find-local-council and navigate to their ‘Community Support’ or ‘Food Assistance’ sections.
Our holiday passes, including our Passport to Play, is the ultimate way for families to enjoy all that Oxygen Activeplay has to offer – providing great value for money and endless fun for children. With the pass, kids can access a variety of exciting activities, from soft play to climbing challenges, all under one ticket. The holiday pass makes it easy for families to visit us, whilst saving money, giving children the freedom to explore, be active, and make new friends in a safe, supervised environment.
Take advantage of the Holiday Pass and make the most of your family’s leisure time – fun, activeplay has never been more accessible or affordable!
Supporting children and families to eat well is key to maintaining energy, growth, and overall wellbeing. The following links provide practical tips, meal ideas, and guidance on making nutritious choices on a budget. From balanced meals to snack and hydration, we aim to make healthy eating simple and accessible for everyone:
- – NHS Eatwell Guide offers advice on balanced diets, portions sizes, and meal planning, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/the-eatwell-guide
- – Change4Life offers practical tips for healthy meals and snacks for children and families, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life
- – British Nutrition Foundation offers guidance on nutrition, healthy recipes, and resources for families, visit: https://www.nutrition.org.uk
A range of Better Health (formally know as Change4Life) offers guidance, practical tips, and resources to help families adopt healthier lifestyles – including advice on physical activity, mental wellbeing, nutrition, and preventative health measures. For more information and resources, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/healthier-families
Keeping children active, engaged, and learning at home is important for their physical and mental wellbeing. Whether it’s rainy days, school holidays, or evenings after school, there are plenty of ways for families to stay busy and creative without leaving the house. Government-backed resources offering safe, fun, and educational activities include:
- – Change4Life – Fun at Home: Activity ideas, games, and tips to help children stay active indoors, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life/activities
- – BBC Bitesize – Home Learning: Educational games, experiments, and projects for children of all ages, visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize
- – National Literacy Trust – Fun Activities: Reading and writing challenges to support literacy at home, visit: https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/
Craft activities are a fantastic way to spark creativity, fine motor skills, and problem-solving in children – all while having fun at home. Simple sustainable materials like paper, glue, scissors, and recycled items can be transformed into engaging projects that stimulate learning and imagination. Government-backed and educational resources for craft activities include:
- – National Literacy Trust – Creative Activities: Craft and storytelling projects to encourage creativity and literacy skills, visit: https://literacytrust.org.uk/family-zone/creative-activities/
- – BBC Bitesize – Arts and Crafts: Step-by-step guides for fun, educational craft projects at home, visit: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/znf8qp3
- – Childrens’ University at Home – Creative Learning: Ideas for arts, crafts, and STEM-related creative projects, visit: https://childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/learning-at-home/activities/
