How to Balance Work and School Holidays in the Charity Sector

Balancing work and family during the school holidays is never easy, but in the charity sector, where resources are tight and demand stays high, it can feel especially challenging.

Over the past few weeks, many of our conversations with charity leaders and professionals have focused on this exact issue: how to keep things moving at work while managing the realities of summer at home.

Here are some of the most common themes and practical strategies we’ve heard from people across the sector.

1. Yes, it really is harder in the charity sector

While many corporate organisations slow down over summer, charities often don’t get that luxury. Whether it’s service delivery, grant reporting, or community engagement, the work continues, regardless of the school calendar.

For parents, this can turn summer into a constant juggling act. For non-parents, it often means covering for stretched teams. Either way, the pressure is real.

2. Flexibility matters – but only if it’s genuine

We’ve all heard organisations talk about flexible working, however, the difference lies in how it’s practiced, not just what’s promised.

The most supportive environments are those where flexibility is visible:

• Calendar blocks for school pickups
• Shared cover for key meetings
• Normalising non-linear work hours

When work-life balance becomes embedded in team culture, it’s not seen as a favour, it’s simply how things are done.

3. Plan ahead where you can, but give yourself grace

Some charity professionals are front-loading work in early July. Others are clearly communicating boundaries about what won’t be completed until September. Tools like shared calendars, team check-ins, and short handover notes are making a difference.

Just as importantly, teams are learning to let go of perfection. Not everything has to run at full speed in August, and that’s okay.

4. Leadership sets the tone (even when it’s unspoken)

Words matter, but actions matter more. If you’re in a leadership role, how you show up (or don’t) over summer sets the tone for your team.

Switching off properly, encouraging breaks, and modelling healthy boundaries sends a clearer message than any policy ever could.

As one charity CEO told us: “If I’m emailing from the beach, I’m part of the problem, not the solution.”

5. It’s not just about parents

It’s easy to focus on school holidays as a challenge for parents, however, the summer stretch affects everyone.

• Non-parents often absorb extra workloads
• Smaller teams can lead to isolation or burnout
• Resentment can build if leave and responsibilities aren’t fairly managed

Great teams are finding ways to share the weight, whether through buddy systems, rotating cover, or setting realistic team-wide goals for the summer period.

6. You won’t get it perfect, but small wins count

The perfect balance might not exist, but small, consistent changes can help everyone feel more supported and less overwhelmed.

So, whether you’re catching up on emails during nap time, managing leave rotas, or just trying to find 10 minutes of peace, know this: you’re not alone – and it is possible to do this well.

Looking for a charity role that supports work-life balance?

At Charity Recruit, we work with organisations that understand the importance of flexibility, family, and wellbeing.

🔎 Explore our latest charity jobs: https://charityrecruit.co.uk/jobs/

💬 Or get in touch for a confidential chat about your next move.