Good morning. Welcome back to Survival Guide. Isabella here.

Every time school holidays roll around, we see a spike in the numbers of people coming to bigissue.com searching for places to get free food for their children. And once again this May half term, families across the country will be struggling to afford to pay for their kids’ lunch in the absence of free school meals, as well as for childcare, which can be extortionate. Many kids’ clubs which are held in the longer school holidays aren’t run in half terms, so parents and carers often end up taking annual leave to look after their children.

We’ve got our usual round-up of places parents can take their children to get free meals over the school holidays at the end of this newsletter, and there’s also lots of money advice to be found on our website – whatever your situation. Energy bills are going down but they’re still almost £150 higher than this time a year ago, and the cost of living continues to rise overall. If you are struggling, you are far from alone.

In this week’s newsletter, we meet Kate McCavana, who amassed a £60,000 debt. But a chance conversation led to a way out and a new start for Kate. Here’s her story.

If you’ve got a story to share, we want to listen. Get in touch at isabella.mcrae@bigissue.com or share your story here.

Kate’s story: ‘I carried the weight of my £60,000 debt alone. Then one conversation changed everything’

By 2022, Kate had become so overwhelmed by financial stress and shame that she could not see a way forward. There were moments when it felt impossible to keep going. She faced weeks lost to depression.

Her business – focused on coaching and securing European grants – had been wiped out almost overnight due to Brexit. Clients vanished. Income streams dried up. She was left with commitments, expenses and a life she had carefully built now hanging by a thread.

Kate borrowed money, hoping it was a short-term fix, and she started repaying her debt. But then Covid struck and her income collapsed. 

By 2021, she was £60,000 in debt and struggling to cope – until everything changed.

In January 2023, an Office of National Statistics survey came through the door, offering £25 to households who participated. She signed up without much thought and then, during the interview, was asked directly about her financial situation. It was the first time she’d told the truth.

“The interviewer burst into tears because he could feel the pain I was in. My husband burst into tears because he finally understood why I’d been suffering with dark suicidal thoughts and dark days all this time. In that moment, the weight I’d been carrying alone for years was finally shared. That conversation was the bravest thing I have ever done. It changed everything,” Kate recalls.

Kate reached out to Money Wellness as suggested by the ONS interviewer, and they helped her create a debt management plan. For the first time in years, she had a clear path forward. 

Read Kate’s story and more about her lessons in seeking help.

In case you missed it

'This place is a vital force for good': An off-grid community's desperate fight to save their home. Brithdir Mawr is one of the oldest housing co-operatives in Britain but the residents have now been told they must leave. Read the story.

Energy price cap fall is a 'massive relief' – but bills still remain punishingly high. Millions of UK households will see their energy bills fall this summer, after regulator Ofgem announced a 7% reduction in the energy price cap. Find out more.

The benefits, dangers and impacts of a cashless society. As cash use dwindles more every year, experts explain the pitfalls – and how you can get help. Read about it.

Disabled protesters say they'll stop Labour's benefit cuts – or die trying: 'I will fight my heart out.' Three activists share why they are protesting against the government’s plans for disability benefit cuts. Get the story.

Like what you're reading? Let people know by going to our sign-up article and sharing it on your social networks!

Where kids eat for free or £1 this half term

There are plenty of deals for cheap meals for kids this half term. Be warned – you generally have to buy a full adult’s meal alongside it, which doesn’t always work out the cheapest, so bear that in mind before you head out to a restaurant.

Some of the cheapest options are Ikea, where a kids’ meal will set you back just 95p, Tesco, where an adult just has to buy any item (even a drink) in the cafe, and Asda Cafe, where kids eat for £1 without you having to buy a meal. 

Get the full list here.

Inside this week's Big Issue magazine

Find your local vendor or sign-up for a subscription.

Thank you for supporting our work to end poverty in the UK.

Big Issue Team