Can you remember vivid details of your first family holiday at the seaside? Do you recall the extra spring in your step strolling the beach promenade and the feeling of comfort you experienced being around the ones you love whether you were having swimming competitions in the sea, building the best sandcastle ever, or even just sitting quietly enjoying each other’s company?
Maybe you’ve carried on these traditions with your own children and now perhaps their children. What are the tastes, sights and sounds of these seaside adventures that you hold dearest to your heart?
It’s no coincidence that some of these memories may be your favourite of all time. The Family Holiday Association – the only national charity dedicated to helping struggling families get a break – carries out its important work in the full knowledge and appreciation that family holidays provide powerful and inspiring memories that give us strength, determination and a sense of belonging even during the most challenging times.
In honour of these memories, the charity has launched a #seasidememories digital and interactive scrapbook in the year of its 40th anniversary. The scrapbook is full of inspiring celebrity #seasidememories – from Jade Jagger and broadcaster Eamonn Holmes through to inspiring authors like Veronica Henry, Janice Galloway and Moira Young through to talented artists Lynette Amelie Merry and Robert Kelsey.
Like many of your own, these celebrity memories carry a powerful sentiment about the importance of family time spent together – a reality that was strongly communicated in research published by the charity in June. The research showed half of Brits (49%) say their happiest memory is that of a holiday with their family and an overwhelming majority (55%) agree these holidays have given them happy memories that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
It also showed that a quarter of Brits (24%) say they particularly call on these happy memories of family holidays when times get tough. For the families who the charity supports – many of whom are dealing with issues ranging from severe and sudden illness to bereavement and abuse – this figure more than quadruples. 100% of Family Holiday Association families said the memories they made together on their break at the seaside have helped them cope with the difficult times.
The scrapbook is available for you to explore and relive your own precious #seasidememories. Perhaps you’d like to share yours? The charity invites you to do so via the scrapbook or on Twitter using @famholidayassoc or on Facebook at http://bit.ly/1Mk6yDp. Help spread some sunshine and nostalgia this summer and when you do, don’t forget the all-important hashtag #seasidememories
To find out more about the work of the Family Holiday Association go to www.familyholidayassociation.org
Last modified: June 9, 2021
