Our Story News and Blog The Impossible Choices Families Are Making This Winter As a charity dedicated to supporting families through challenging times, we recently surveyed parents in our community, to understand how they are coping this winter. The results paint a worrying picture of what many working families in the UK are facing right now. Rising winter costs are forcing parents to face impossible trade-offs between essential needs. Many are going without warm clothing, bedding, or even working appliances simply to keep up with rent and bills. Winter is here, and families are feeling the impact every single day. What families told us Financial situation 74% reported their financial situation has worsened over the past year. 48% said it got much worse 26% said it got slightly worse Families are not overspending or living beyond their means. Many are working hard, budgeting tightly, and still finding they cannot keep up. Cost-driven sacrifices 74% of families told us they had delayed or gone without buying clothing or bedding due to cost. 63% said this was because they needed to prioritise rent or bills. The reality is that children are missing out on essentials because families are struggling to keep their homes running A familiar story One parent described the lengths they are going to in order to manage winter costs: "We’ve been faced with huge utility bills several times, to the point where we ended up in arrears. To keep from falling behind again, I turned the heating off completely in May. My daughter asked last night when we could turn it back on because she’s been feeling cold and wearing layers around the house. I felt awful, but I am trying to save the heating for when it gets really cold. At night we use hot water bottles, and during the day I work from home in hoodies, hats and a blanket around my legs. I don’t believe my story is unique. I’m sure many families are struggling to heat their homes this winter. If families can get help with things like clothing and white goods, they can use the money saved to heat their homes and buy food." Winter parenting stressors The number one stressor for families this winter is managing heating and utility costs (59%).Other concerns include buying winter clothing (26%) and keeping children healthy (7%). Appliance challenges 48% of families are living with a broken or non-working appliance.52% have delayed repairs because of cost, often because rent and bills had to come first. For many families, these are essential items like cookers, washing machines, or microwaves. When these stop working, day-to-day life becomes significantly harder, especially in winter, when warm meals and clean clothing are even more important. How you can help Families are facing multiple pressures this winter, and many are having to choose between keeping their homes warm and providing their children with essentials. With 63% prioritising rent or bills over winter clothing for their children, your support can make a real difference. A donation to FTCT's Winter Appeal can help provide warm clothing, bedding and essential household items that ease some of the pressure on fashion and textile families this winter. Please select a donation amount (required) £5 £5 could contribute toward winter bedding to make a child's home cosy this season. £10 £10 could pay for a hat and mittens to keep a child comfortable on a cold walk to school. £20 £20 can fund a pair of boots to keep a child warm and dry in the winter weather. Other Set up a regular payment Donate Related FTCT content You might also be interested in: What to Do When Bills Pile Up Family Meal Ideas to Keep Warm This Winter Budget Tips Every Parent Should Know Manage Cookie Preferences