PICTURES: How are Inverness families dealing with the cost of living crisis during the summer holidays?
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In one corner of Cafe 1668 in Inverness, a family joins in a traditional game while at another table a youngster is quietly engrossed in making a bracelet.
Rising fuel bills may not dominate the news agenda as they did during the colder months but the cost-of-living crisis has not gone away, according to parents at the cafe's summer club.
With the schools now having broken up for the summer, many families now face a juggling act in the coming weeks.
Cafe 1668, a social cafe in Church Street is giving a helping hand alongside Family First and New Start Highland by providing free activities and a meal at the weekly summer club.
There are 25 places – and all are fully booked.
Carol Lawson, Family First co-ordinator for Action for Children, explained the aim is to give families a safe place to go with lots of activities for their children with a different theme each week – the first being healthy eating.
"It is about giving families something which is free particularly in times of austerity," she said.
"It is an opportunity for parents to meet each other and also an opportunity to get a free meal."
Different agencies are also taking part including New Start Highland and Mikeysline to give professional advice an issues such as energy, finance, benefits and mental health. Local businesses are also supporting it.
"It gets people together with a shared common goal and where families and parents can support each other through this cost of living crisis," Ms Lawson said.
"The cost of living crisis has slipped down the agenda. We cannot allow it do so. Poverty is a real driver of social inequality.
"The cost of living crisis does impact on every family. It is absolutely very real for families. That is why we have advisers coming in to speak to parents."
They are also highlighting other free activities.
"It is not always easy to find something for kids for free," she said. "The summer is a long period of time for families not to have anywhere to go which does not cost anything."
Hugh O'Neill, a father of two daughters, has noticed the shopping bills creeping up.
"You go to the shop and something which perhaps cost £1 is now £1.50," he said.
The family attended the Easter club run by Action for Children at Cafe 1668.
"The girls really enjoyed it and so we thought we would come back in the summer," he said.
Jade Kennedy, who has a son and a daughter and a baby due in September, said attractions could be expensive and there was also travel to take into consideration.
Meeting other families was a big motivation for her signing up to the summer club.
"You don't always see other parents," she said.
"This is something to look forward to – and it is free."
Another mum Kayleigh Dewar echoed her comments, saying it helped her and her son meet new people.
"You are making new connections," she said.
"It is nice to see him responding with other children."
There was praise for the club from Shannon Shaw who was attending with her partner Barry McGurty and their two children.
"We were welcomed through the door," she said.
"It is very important to have something like this especially when families are struggling with the cost of living crisis and everything is going up."
Another mum, who did not wish to be named, said she welcomed the opportunity to get advice from the organisations attending the sessions.
"It is really good to have something like this and everyone is so friendly," she said.
