2018 Summer Respite Holiday

Outcome

30 children/young people with disabilities/multiple ASN will have taken part in a 6 day-long Summer Respite Holiday during which they will have engaged in many interactive group games and crafts; 1-to-1 sensory support opportunities; soft play time; days out, etc., that were previously inaccessible

Results

30 children/YP with disabilities/multiple ASN and 8 x siblings engaged in a 6 day-long Respite Holiday during which they engaged in many activities otherwise inaccessible incl., interactive games, arts/crafts, specially-adapted sports. 1-to-1 sensory, soft play, and day trips to Flamingoland, Wipeout Park, the beach, Aquapark, and horse riding.

By engaging in these activities, exploring/taking on new challenges independently, and receiving positive confirmations from peers/volunteers, children with disabilities/multiple ASN gained/improved their independence, developed practical skills via play incl., social/communication, teamwork, and fair play; and gained confidence/ positive self-esteem.

Most importantly, the holiday enabled children that experience isolation/exclusion in the wider community to relax, be themselves, and build strong peer networks, with 100% of children stating they made new friends: helping them feel less isolated and more resilient.

Case study

Child R has Global Development Delay, Dyspraxia, visual impairment, Global 2 Deletion, and Autism which often results in behavioural outbursts. Despite improvements R had made via engaging/receiving support in our on-going Children’s Clubs, her mother was anxious about the Respite Holiday as the family had never been on a family break before and she was therefore worried that the change of environment would negatively impact R. Although R engaged in the day outings and group activities provided during the break, she also continued to access alternative games, sensory activities, and quiet time on a 1-to-1 basis with her volunteer Helper give her multiple and complex additional support needs.

R experienced significant improvements in her confidence as a result of getting out of her ‘comfort zone,’ exploring the world around her, and trying new activities throughout the Respite Break. She also developed new friends via taking part in the group activities which appeared to make the biggest impact on her overall wellbeing as evidenced through observations made/feedback recorded throughout the week-long period: helping R blossom from a shy, quiet wallflower on day one into an active, empowered young girl that liked playing with her new friends in the group activities provided. The self-belief developed even led R to sing a song with her new friends during the ‘Got Talent’ activity provided on the final night, prompting her mother to shed tears at the positive transformation evidenced.

R’s new-found confidence has continued to support her outwith the Respite Holiday as she is now more actively engaged in the group activities provided during our Children’s Club and has even taken on a more vocal role in helping us plan the club activities we provide. R and her mother have continued to meet with their new friends both within and outwith our Children’s Club, helping reduce their long-term isolation and improve their life-long wellbeing, resilience, and quality of life.

R’s mother advised that: “I didn’t think I’d ever find a place where R fitted in due to her multiple additional support needs. However, the Helper’s on-going support has been brilliant – R has since had fewer meltdowns, she is less shy, more confidence, and is, overall, much happier.”

ADDITIONAL: “Wydale has been fantastic. Have hardly seen A.M all week due to his wonderful friends. [I’ve] had such a chilled time away, love these people with all my heart and can never thank them enough for what they do. It’s like being on a large family holiday.” A. McSorley

“SAMs has been a godsend to our family. Seeing my daughter happy and having so much fun is fantastic. I love watching [her] make new friends and come out of her shell.” C. Noble

“I wasn’t sure at first the volunteers could handle J.B’s pace, meltdowns, traits, and limited communication. [But] we couldn’t be part of a better group. J.B’s been extremely calm, played well, and felt so at ease with all the volunteers …building friendships and confidants. As a whole my family couldn’t thank SAMs enough.” K. Bavidge

Outcome

30 children/YP with disabilities/multiple ASN and 25 Parents/Carers will have taken part in a 6 day-long Respite Holiday during which they’ll engage in positive activities, experience an environment outwith their community, develop new friends/support networks and skills, and feel more supported.

Results

Our 6 day-long Respite Holiday enabled 30 x children/YP with disabilities/multiple ASN and 25 x Parents/Carers to engage in fun, inclusive activities that would typically be inaccessible due to each child’s support needs and financial disadvantage, offering unique chances for these families to relax, have fun, and enjoy each other away from the day-to-day stress/pressure/responsibilities at home: helping families feel happier, more positive about the future, and build stronger family bonds/relationships.

8 children siblings also took part, offering unique chances for able-bodied and disabled children to engage in fun, integrated activities: strengthening bonds between siblings and improving their attitudes towards each disabled child, e.g., reducing jealousy/frustration possibly felt due to all attention being on the disabled sibling(s). This helped improve inter-family relationships and enhanced the support structure for each disabled child: helping them thrive in the long-term.

Case study

Child A and Child B are twin girls that both have multiple additional support needs and are cared for by their single mother. Like many of the families we support, our Respite Holiday represented the family’s first holiday ever due to the lack of affordable and accessible venues/holidays. Although the twins had a brief period of ‘clinging on’ to their mum as they were in a new, unfamiliar environment, they were soon fully engaging in the various activities provided during which they built confidence, new social, communication, and teamwork skills, and overall independence. The girls particularly enjoyed the horse-riding trip as they had never seen/been around animals before and came to life when singing karaoke songs with their new friends. The social inclusion, improved confidence, and new skills have made a significant impact on the girls’ wellbeing, with their mother advising that she had never seen the girls go so long without having a meltdown or be so willing to take part in the wide range of activities provided.

Child A and Child B’s mother also stated that the respite received and adult-only activities she engaged in helped her de-stress and feel more relaxed and, overall, ‘restored.’ She was thrilled at having so many opportunities to interact and share experiences/peer support with other adults as most of her time is spent with/supporting her 2 x children. These activities enabled her to build a number of new friendships with whom she/her 2 x girls have continued to meet with outwith the Project: helping them build a strong micro-community of support.

Child A and B’s mother described the Respite Holiday as life-changing and stated that ‘I’m blown away by the support and care provided and can’t thank you enough for making me and my girls happier and healthier. We are so fortunate to have found SAMs.”

ADDITIONAL: “Wow, how can I describe the joy, fun, laughter, and inclusion that this [has brought] me and my girls. They’ve had fantastic days out experiencing & enjoying great activities and making great memories with new friends whilst I have [had] time to relax with the other parents. The volunteers are amazing and I love being part of this family.” Y. Conroy

“Cannot thank all of the helpers enough. Not a single tantrum/meltdown all week from R.S. It’s been an amazing experience and one that cannot be truly explained til you are there. Thanks to you all.” L. Stoll

“It’s been amazing, hilarious, unbelievable, and silly. We have absolutely loved it. A massive thank you.” H. Robertson

Families developed new friendships and long-lasting support networks via shared experiences, with 100% stating they feel less lonely as a result of the holiday: helping them feel better supported in the wider community which will reduce their isolation and improve their resilience and wellbeing.

Outcome

25 Parents/Carers will have taken part in a 6 day-long Respite Holiday during which they’ll receive much-needed respite, spend time with their partner/peers, and engage in parent-only activities that were previously unavailable due to their child’s complex support needs and financial limitations.

Results

25 x Parents/Carers of children with disabilities/multiple ASN benefited from our 6 day-long Respite Holiday. SAMs provided children-only activities/outings each day: giving Parents/Carers approx. 8 hours of respite per day to de-stress, relax, focus on their own wellbeing, and engage in ‘pamper sessions’ with massages/manicures, Bingo Evening, Girlie Shopping + Pub & Pool Day for Dads/Male-Carers, and Day Trips/Lunches.

These opportunities/activities are a vital aspect of our Respite Holiday and helped Parents/Carers feel less stressed/hopeless, stronger and more able to cope with their caring responsibilities, and build positive friendships/support networks with peers. As a result of feeling ‘restored’ better able to cope, family communication/relationships improve: supporting each family’s long-term wellbeing/quality of life.

Case study

Having previously attended our annual Respite Holiday 2 years ago, Parent C was counting down the days until our July 2018 Holiday as it is the only opportunity in which her family can enjoy a family break due to the lack of accessible holidays otherwise available. It is also the only opportunity for her to access extended respite over multiple days during which she can focus on her own wellbeing and engage with other adults away from the day-to-day stresses typically experienced. Parent C advised that she felt less stressed and more relaxed as a result of taking part in the Respite Holiday. She particularly enjoyed the pamper sessions during which she received a massage and manicure which are luxuries she is unable to afford/access but which helped her feel “stronger, more normal, and relaxed.”

She also really enjoyed the many Parent/Carer-only activities we offered as they provided unique opportunities for her to relax and have fun without feeling guilty as she knew her children were having fun and being supported/looked after by our trained, committed volunteers.

“As a parent of a child with additional needs, it can be a lonely, confusing place. Connecting with others parents and enjoying the respite that SAMs volunteers provide is priceless.”

ADDITIONAL: “We have had a wonderful relaxing holiday with the SAMs family. Lots of laughs, lunches, fancy dress, vino, bingo, genuinely the best 6 days ever.” L. Stoll

99% of Parents/Carers stated that they felt less stressed as a result of our service and support

Outcome

25 Parents/Carers will have taken part in a 6 day-long Respite Holiday during which they’ll receive much-needed respite, spend time with their partner/peers, and engage in parent-only activities that were previously unavailable due to their child’s complex support needs and financial limitations.

Results

25 x Parents/Carers of children with disabilities/multiple ASN benefited from our 6 day-long Summer Respite Holiday. SAMs provided children-only activities/outings each day: giving Parents/Carers approx. 8 hours of respite per day to de-stress, relax, focus on their own wellbeing, and engage in ‘pamper sessions’ with massages/manicures, Bingo Evening, Girlie Shopping + Pub & Pool Day for Dads/Male-Carers, and Day Trips/Lunches.

These opportunities/activities are a vital aspect of our Respite Holiday and helped Parents/Carers feel less stressed/hopeless, stronger and more able to cope with their caring responsibilities, and build positive friendships/support networks with peers. As a result of feeling ‘restored’ better able to cope, family communication/relationships improve: supporting each family’s long-term wellbeing/quality of life.

Case study

Parents K have 2 x children with disabilities/multiple ASN and 1 x able-bodied child. The family began engaging in our services 8 months ago and signed up for our annual Respite Holiday after hearing positive feedback from other families engaging in our Project. The Respite Holiday represented their first family holiday and Parents K were thrilled to be able to access so many activities as a family.

During the Respite Holiday, children engaged in a range of interactive activities, group games, sensory support, and day outings each morning and afternoon during which Parents/Carers received much-needed respite to focus on their own wellbeing, with Parents K accessing a combined 96 respite hours of the total 1,200 respite hours provided to Parents/Carers over the 6 day-long period. During this time, Parents/Carers accessed massages/manicures at pamper sessions, enjoyed time with their partners, and engaged in adult-only activities incl., Bingo Evening, Girlie Shopping + Pub & Pool Day for Dads/Male-Carers, and Day Trips/Lunches.

Having never accessed group outings with other Parents/Carers due to their children’s 24/7 support needs, Parents K were thrilled to meet with, build connections, and befriend peers that fully understood their day-to-day stresses, pressures, and responsibilities and the affects that these have on Partner/Partner relationships as well as the whole family unit.

We know from experience and feedback received from Parents/Carers that the adult-only activities we provide remain a key asset of our service as they enable Parents/Carers to share their experiences, what works/doesn’t work for them, tips for success, and general peer support in a casual but supportive environment: helping them feel more supportive, resilient, and capable of continuing their caring responsibilities. They also give Parents/Carers peace of mind as they know their children are well looked after/enjoying their own activities: helping them more fully engage/access the benefits offered.

Parents K also received support from an experienced Carer in the care sector who volunteers for our Project regarding tips and new/additional routines to establish at home to better support their children’s overall development and manage behavioural problems arising from these ASN.

The combined support received during the Respite Holiday and positive support networks developed with other isolated families affected by childhood disability helps Parents/Carers feel better supported not only during the annual Respite Holiday but long-after and within the wider community: helping them feel more resilient and better able to continue coping with/carrying out their caring responsibilities.

Parents K advised that “this has been wonderful experience for our family and we’re delighted to have made such fast friends. It’s been so great to talk with other parents about issues affecting us all and bounce ideas off one another. I feel so much less stressed and am incredibly grateful to SAMs for letting us join in the fun! Thanks so much for this opportunity.“

ADDITIONAL: “…I’ve had time to relax with the other parents, who soon felt like an extension of our family.” Y. Conroy

“SAM Charity has been a godsend: I don’t know what we’d do without this support” H.R

98% of Parents/Carers stated that the holiday helped them better cope with their caring responsibilities.
100% of Parents/Carers stated that they are more aware of the support available to assist them in caring for their child(ren) in the future