Push, Plant and Prosper (PPP) is a holiday club offering free childcare to Merton residents from disadvantaged, low-income, and marginalised backgrounds, including children with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities. The programme aims to provide equal access to opportunities for children and their families, working to bridge the socio-economic gap between the East and West of Merton. Through a combination of provisions, PPP helps families address vulnerabilities heightened by the economic crisis and the pandemic.

The “Push” component encourages zero-emissions travel by providing bicycles and walking opportunities, promoting both environmental awareness and healthy lifestyle choices. “Plant” focuses on tackling food insecurity, teaching participants how to grow produce and cook meals, with a hands-on, team-based approach. “Prosper” equips children with budgeting and decision-making skills by involving them in real-life scenarios that inform outreach work for the homeless, fostering social responsibility and communication skills.

PPP seeks to equip both adults and children with the necessary resources to foster resilience and disrupt the cycle of generational poverty through educational and hands-on approaches. By offering fresh and meaningful experiences, the programme addresses challenges such as social isolation, inactivity, social anxiety, food insecurity, low self-esteem, and other poverty-related issues.