A CHARITY which has helped tens of thousands of city families in its 50-year history is facing closure next year if it can't secure at least £60,000 by the spring. 

Southampton Children's Play Association (SCPA), which provides free play schemes for children in the city's most deprived areas, has been core funded by Southampton City Council since its humble beginnings by a group of parents in 1973.

But its latest contract with the local authority expires at the end of the year and, due to a change in the way holiday clubs are funded, it must look elsewhere for cash. 

READ MORE: Kids eat free and cheap eats for the family this school summer holidays

SCPA's annual showpiece event Play Day 2023, which is due to attract thousands of families to Hoglands Park tomorrow (July 28), could be its last.

Play development manager Anna Roberts, who has been involved with the charity for 30 years, said: "I have seen the charity go from strength to strength and the need has never been greater. The cost of living crisis is really affecting the families we work for. 

"In 2022, we reached over 15,000 children and families through our projects. The community really can’t afford to lose our charity. We bring everyone together."

Daily Echo: Children playing

SCPA boasts many play projects. They have Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme funding for holiday lunches for eligible children. Volunteering opportunities, work experience placements and CV building for young people are also offered. 

A Southampton City Council spokesperson explained that the four-year contract to provide holiday playschemes, worth £65,554 annually, will end on December 31, adding: "The Council will continue to support the SPCA at a reduced level whilst alternative funding is sourced.

"At the time the service was commissioned, SCPA were funded as the City Council’s sole provider of holiday playschemes.

"Since the service was commissioned, the Department of Education launched the Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme HAF in 2021. This provides funding for Local Authorities to use for free holiday clubs for school aged children from reception to year 11 (inclusive) who receive benefits-related free school meals during Easter, Summer and Christmas holidays. Southampton City HAF grant in 2023 was £1,231,290, so this has significantly increased the funding available for holiday playschemes.

"All organisations are open to bid for HAF funding including SCPA."

Daily Echo: Children playing