Summary
SAMs Charity ran a Summer Respite Holiday, which helped children/young people with disabilities/multiple ASN and their Parents/Carers better cope with both existing and new challenges created by the pandemic, reduced their isolation, and improved their wellbeing, resilience, and quality of life
What 2021 Summer Respite Holiday did
We ran an alternative Summer Respite Holiday at the Drimsynie Caravan Park, which helped children/young people with disabilities/multiple ASN and their Parents/Carers better cope with existing and new challenges created by the pandemic, reduced their isolation, and improved their wellbeing, resilience, and quality of life.
In order to promote the safety/health of those supported, we ran 2 x 4 day-long Summer Respite Holidays back-to-back to reduce the overall group size, with the combined holidays benefitting 20 children with disabilities/multiple ASN, 10 able-bodied children, and 22 Parents/Carers that were supported by 17 volunteers. This was less than initially expected but others families instead continued to shield as they had additional health conditions that put them at increased risk of getting covid-19. We also required to slightly adapt the activities run and supported families to stay in their own caravans. Although this was different than what we’d typically run, the adapted provision did not change the significant differences made to the families supported.
We provided activities for small groups of children each day incl., outdoor games, indoor activities/crafts, and sensory support set-up using our own resources/specially-adapted equipment as well as on-site swimming, nature walks, boat trips, and kayaking. This enabled Parents/Carers to access much-needed respite lasting 6-8 hours each day, helping them better cope with the constant cycle of medication, time, financial costs, isolation, stress, and physical/emotional toll of providing 24/7 intensive care for their children. To further help Parents de-stress, we supported them to each access 2 different Spa Treatments incl., massages, reflexology, etc. We also provided games and activity packs for families to use within their own caravan during the evenings, enabling families to focus on having fun and enjoying each other’s company away from the stress and everyday challenges faced at home, which further helped restore and strengthen family relationships.
What SAMs Charity has learned
As a result of the lingering effects of the pandemic, we required to run an adapted respite holiday at our Plan B location in Drimsynie Caravan Park at which our 2 new Specially-Adapted Caravans are located, with 2 x 4 day-long respite holidays run back-to-back to reduce the overall group size, families supported to stay in their own individuals caravans, and adapted activities run for smaller groups of kids. The overall group was slightly smaller than initially expected as several of the families that were registered to access this service instead stayed home so that they could continue shielding as they have additional vulnerabilities that put them at increased risk of getting the coronavirus.
Although these changes came with their own challenges and we had a bit of a learning curve in working with a new organisation, being the caravan park, that was unfamiliar to our overall group instead of Wydale Hall which we’ve used for several years, the holiday was still a great success and made a big impact to the vulnerable families we support who have experienced a range of challenges made worse by the pandemic and related lockdowns.
Running the respite holiday at this alternative location also brought a number of unexpected successes and was overwhelming loved by the families supported, so much so that we’ve decided to also host our 2022 summer respite holiday at Drimsynie Caravan Park. Such successes included being easier to access with less travelling, particularly benefitting some of the children that otherwise struggle to travel; enabling families to have more individual spaces that they could make their own during the holiday rather than only having a hotel room like at Wydale Hall; having wider outdoor spaces in which the children can explore and play and a huge range of on-site cafes/restaurants and activities including kayaking, boats, bowling, play parks, swimming, spa, entertainment, etc. Our volunteers also thought that having these wider outdoor spaces and on-site activities made the overall organisation and delivery of the various activities more calm and convenient. The caravan park also has more spaces to be rented out then Wydale Hall, enabling us to again provide one big holiday for more families, and will cost about the same at our previous holidays in Scarborough so choosing this alternative location with differen benefits makes sense.
We simply would not have been able to provide this project without the continued support of the Better Breaks Fund which also helped us secure additional grants from other trusts and foundations: enhancing the overall support provided for vulnerable families impacted by childhood disabilities.
How SAMs Charity has benefitted from the funding
Although we initially expected to run our annual respite holiday at Wydale Hall in Scarborough, which we’ve used for many years, we required to instead provide an adapted holiday at our Plan B location in Drimsynie Caravan Park at which our 2 Specially-Adapted Caravans are located. Although the health crisis had improved and all lockdowns ended several weeks before we ran the respite holiday, we still faced lingering effects of this, with several of the families that were initially scheduled to attend the holiday instead staying home so that they could continue shielding as they have additional vulnerabilities that put them at increased risk of getting the coronavirus. We also made several changes to the holiday structure in order to make this as safe as possible for those families that attended. This included supported each family to stay in their own individual caravans, providing adapted activities to smaller groups of children, and running 2 back-to-back 4 day-long respite holidays in order to reduce the overall group size supported.
Although these changes brought their own challenges, the adapted provision did not change the significant differences made to the families supported. Being at the caravan park also enabled families to see all of the different activities provided on-site and which can be otherwise accessed as part of the new year-round respite breaks we’re providing through the 2 Specially-Adapted Caravans purchased just before and during the pandemic and which some of the families haven’t been able to access yet. This new service enables families to access free respite breaks as/when they need it during which 2 volunteers accompany each family and stay in their own caravan but provide up to 6 hours of respite sitting and activities each day, effectively providing a mini, single-family version of the 2 respite holidays provided in July/August 2021 with your support. In fact, the families enjoyed the 2021 respite holidays so much that nearly every single one immediately registered to access this additional respite support following the holiday and we’re almost completely booked solid for the next 6 months alone.
Funding to run our annual Respite Holiday also gives our volunteers the opportunity to gain more experiences working with vulnerable children and families in different settings: helping better prepare them/improve their own world of worj, learning, and personal commitments especially for our younger volunteers whoa re still at college/university. In this way, the Project also provide immeasurable benefits for them as active citizens, making a significant contribution to the local community. In connection, some individuals supporting SAMs Charity have progressed from simple volunteers to becoming qualified, full-time Carers in the Care Sector following their positive experience supporting/working with the children/young people we engage with.
Thank you once again for this very kind support of work. Our small, volunteer-led charity simply would not being to provide this unique and much-needed service without the continued and generous support of Shared Care Scotland. Your support further helped us secure additional grants from other trusts and foundations, therefore enhancing the overall support we could provide this year.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
30 children/YP with disabilities/multiple ASN will have taken part in a Respite Holiday during which they’ll have engaged in interactive games, inclusive sports, 1-to-1 sensory, and day trips previously inaccessible. As a result, children/YP will feel less isolated and more positive/resilient
Results
20 children/YP with disabilities/multiple ASN and 10 x able-bodied children were supported to access a fun Summer Respite Holiday during which they engaged in many activities incl., outdoor games, indoor activities/crafts, sensory play, swimming, nature walks, boat trips, and kayaking.
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 significant isolation/exclusion that was made worse by the pandemic and related lockdowns to be themselves, and build strong peer networks: helping them feel less isolated and more resilient.
Case study
Although we’ve provided respite support for families during the pandemic to help them better cope with the increased challenges faced and feel less isolated and stressed as a family, we weren’t able to run any group activities in order to keep everyone safe as the majority of families we support were self-isolating and/or shielding during the year due to their additional vulnerabilities and susceptibility. This negatively impacted the children, especially as our activities are often the only outlet they have, and they suffered from being stuck in their homes instead of being able to have fun and connect with their peers. The respite holiday, however, supported children to engage in a wide range of fun group activities whilst still focused on promoting their overall health, enabling them to have fun, be themselves, build improved independence and friendships/networks, etc., all of which helped to improve their overall wellbeing and quality of life. This included unique activities like kayaking and boating that children were able to access for the first time in their lives and which they truly enjoyed.
- “What an amazing holiday! It’s been so great to see M having so much fun with the other kids and he’s been bursting with excitement at the end of each day when telling me all about the activities he took part in. Although we don’t even have our own garden, M has always loved outdoorsy activities, especially water activities, so those run during the holiday like swimming, kayaking, nature crafts, etc., have all been truly brilliant and he’s loved every second of it! SAMs always seems to know exactly what we need and this was no exception – it’s truly been a wonderful experience and we both feel so much better and more positive! I can’t thank you enough for all of your support!
Outcome
25 Parents/Carers will have taken part in a Respite Holiday during which they’ll receive much-needed respite, spend time with their partner/peers, and build new friendships via engaging in previously-inaccessible parent-only activities, helping them feel less isolated and more positive
Results
22 x Parents/Carers of children with disabilities/multiple ASN benefitted form our Summer Respite Holiday. SAMs provided children-only activities/outings each day, giving Parents/Carers approx., 6-8 hours of respite per day to de-stress, relax, spent time with parents/peers and access spa treatments covered by SAMs. These opportunities were incredibly important, especially after such a difficult year full of isolation and increased challenges and helped Parents/Carers feel less stressed/hopeless, stronger and more able to cope with their caring responsibilities, and build stronger support networks with peers. Helping Parents/Carers de-stress and feel more supported, in turn, helped to further improve family relationships and wellbeing.
Case study
This was Parent R’s first break away with her children and she wasn’t sure what to expect and worried that her disabled child would struggle to cope with the holiday structure. However, once she saw how supportive our trained volunteers are, R was able to relax and take full advantage of the respite provided, socialising and going on nature walks with other Parents, accessing 2 spa treatments, having fun at the parent bingo, etc. R reported feeling less stressed and more relaxed and confident in managing her caring role moving forward as a result of benefitting from our Respite Holiday and said ‘I can’t think of when I last had this much fun and am blown away by the support and care you’ve given us. It’s been so great to chat and have fun with the other parents and I felt so relaxed after the spa treatments. This year has been so difficult for us and honestly I felt like it would never end so it’s been amazing being able to come out here, enjoy the fresh air, and connect with everyone. Thank you so much for everything you’ve given us.”
Outcome
25 Parents/Carers will have taken part in a Respite Holiday during which they’ll receive much-needed respite, spend time with their partner/peers, and engage in previously-inaccessible parent-only activities: helping Parents/Carers feel less stressed and better able to manage/cope with their caring
Results
22 x Parents/Carers of children with disabilities/multiple ASN benefitted form our Summer Respite Holiday. SAMs provided children-only activities/outings each day, giving Parents/Carers approx., 6-8 hours of respite per day to de-stress, relax, spent time with parents/peers and access spa treatments covered by SAMs. These opportunities were incredibly important, especially after such a difficult year full of isolation and increased challenges and helped Parents/Carers feel less stressed/hopeless, stronger and more able to cope with their caring responsibilities, and build stronger support networks with peers. Helping Parents/Carers de-stress and feel more supported, in turn, helped to further improve family relationships and wellbeing.
Case study
- We didn’t realise how much this break would give us and I genuinely feel restored. I can’t thank you enough providing such a wonderful opportunity for our girl and ourselves.”
- “As a parent, I genuinely feel so much less stressed and better overall as a result of their support.”
A is a single mum with 3 children under 10, 2 of which have a combination of disabilities and multiple ASN. The combination of working from home and providing 24/7 care for her children without a break during this difficult year significantly impacted her mental health and she recently took leave from work due to the impact of this increased stress and pressure. Our respite holiday was luckily run at this critical turning point and enabled A to meet/connect with new Parents/Carers experiencing similar stress and challenges and who were able to share what worked/didn’t work for them and general peer support, helping her feel better supported and included. A was also particularly grateful for the spa treatments provided, which helped her to relax and focus on her own wellbeing, as she simply doesn’t have the opportunity to access this luxury in her day-to-day life.
At the end of the holiday, A said: “I am so grateful for this opportunity and your support. It’s been such a wonderful experience for my family and we’ve all made new and improved friendships. It’s been so great being able to chat with the other parents about feeling low and the many issues affecting us all and I’ve learned some new strategies that I’m keen to try at home. One of the parents also gave me some information about mindfulness and how to find out more and I really think that this is going to help me moving forward. The spa treatments were also brilliant – I can’t remember the last time I felt so pampered and relaxed. We’ve really had such an amazing and fun time and I definitely feel less stressed and more confident to continue pushing forward. Thank you so much again for this amazing opportunity.”
Outcome
30 children/YP with disabilities/multiple ASN and 25 Parents/Carers will have taken part in a Respite Holiday during which they’ll engage in positive activities outwith their community, develop new friends/support networks and skills, and feel more supported: improving their resilience and wellbeing
Results
Our Respite Holiday enabled 20 children/YP with disabilities/multiple ASN and 22 Parents/Carers to engage in fun, inclusive activities that are typically inaccessible due to their support needs and financial disadvantage, especially after this difficult year, offering unique chances for 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 their future, and build improved family relationships.
10 able-boded 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 attitude towards each disabled child, e.g., reducing jealousy/frustration possible felt due to all attention being on the disabled sibling(s). This helped improved inter-family relationships and enhance the support structure for each disabled child: helping them thrive in the long-term
Case study
- “We all feel so much better and cannot express enough thanks for this amazing holiday”
- “We’ve never has a break like this and had the best time thanks to you. It was so great to see N come out of his shell and we’ve both made so many new friends. I hope we have the opportunity to go again in the near future. Thanks again.”
- “This year has been so incredibly difficult for us and we’ve really struggled to cope with being isolated and stuck at home for such a long period of time. The lockdowns have been particularly bad for L and the overall stress, isolation, and change to his structured schedule has caused some unfortunate set-backs to the huge improvements we’d seen in him prior to the pandemic and he’s been having more meltdowns than ever and become totally disengaged despite our attempts to make the best of this difficult situation. However, being able to connect with his peers and friends during the holiday has really improved his overall spirits and it’s been great to see him smiling so much and be so actively engaged in the activities run. The volunteers have been so wonderful to him, which has given us peace of mind and helped us enjoy socialising and sharing with the other Parents more plus the spa treatments were off the charts amazing, helping us feel less stressed and on edge. We’ve really had so much fun during the break and are so grateful for this opportunity and your phenomenal support and can’t wait until the clubs start back up again!”