Summary
We provided a 1 week activity break for 11-14 year olds and two residential weekends for 15-18 year old with vision impairment to promote their independence and allow respite for parents/carers. We provided family days across the country offering peer support and a break from the normal routine.
What Activate did
RNIB ran an Activity Camp at Broomlee Outdoor Centre for young people aged 11-14 years. The week was a great success with a programme covering a wide range of activities. These activities ranged from Raft Building to Hillwalking, Campfire to Judo, Tree and Pole Climbing to Salsa Dancing and Archery to Yoga. It was great to see the young people develop in confidence and independence over the week.
Two transition weekends were run for 15 – 18 year olds to promote independence and develop self-confidence. These were run in partnership with the Royal Blind School, one held in Perthshire at Ardoenaig Outdoor Centre and at the Braid Hills Hotel and Royal Blind School in Edinburgh. 19 young people took part in a range of activities including mobility, cooking, mindfulness, sailing, team building and ten pin bowling.
Four Family Taster Days were run across Scotland in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen including one for those with complex additional support needs. These brought families together to try new activities including Para bowling, Judo, arts and crafts, face painting, planetarium show, gardening workshop, mindfulness, goalball and new technology.
The parents had an opportunity to network with each other and join in discussion around RNIB services, learn about the work of the Commissionaire for children and young people and learn about The Visual Impairment Network for Children and Young People (VINCYP).
Participants were identified through links with statutory education services, RNIB mailing lists and local societies supporting children and young people with vision impairment. Parents reported having holidays, time with their other children, hillwalking and time to themselves.
The combination of events run for this project has addressed all the priority area for Better Breaks.
What RNIB has learned
These opportunities help towards combating the feeling of social isolation often reported by children and young people with sight loss.
We have learned that these events provide huge benefits to siblings of children and young people with disabilities.
Transitions weekends have shown there is a real need to support young people with disabilities as they leave school and move into adulthood.
How RNIB has benefitted from the funding
This funding has allowed RNIB, who work with children and young people throughout Scotland, to organise and run a variety of events to bring together children, young people and their families. It has allowed them to benefit from a change of routine and gain form peer support.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
This funding has allowed RNIB, who work with children and young people throughout Scotland, to organise and run a variety of events to bring together children, young people and their families. It has allowed them to benefit from a change of routine and gain form peer support.
Results
A very successful family day was held for children and young people with complex additional support needs. This provided the opportunity for disabled children and young people to try new fun, stimulating and rewarding activities together with their families.
Case study
Families have reported that it can often be difficult to access new activities. During this event children and young people with complex additional support needs and their parents/carers took part in sensory music and storytelling sessions. This provided the children and young people the chance to try new activities and provided the carers with ideas they could develop further at home. One parent commented that their child “was totally engaged with the music, loving it”.
Outcome
Carers of disabled children and young people (and the young people they care for) will have improved well being.
Results
Incorporating Mindfulness into many of the events provided very positive feedback from both carers and young people.
Case study
During events children and young people including those with complex additional support needs and their parents/carers took part in a Mindfulness session. This involved learning relaxation techniques and being in the moment through becoming aware of your breathing and focusing fully on the activity through different senses. Feedback from the parents was very positive from a personal point of view with many stating they felt more relaxed and more energised afterwards. They also reported that it was great to see their child become calmer and more relaxed during the session. Carers and young people stated that they would continue to use mindfulness on a regular basis.
Outcome
Carers will feel more supported to sustain their caring role.
Results
The summer camp and transitions weekends gave carers the opportunity to do what they wanted for the week/weekend allowing them to return to their caring role refreshed.
Case study
The carers of a young woman with vision impairment and epilepsy spent weekends at home or doing things which she was interested in and had little time to pursue their own interests. When their daughter attended a transitions weekend it provided them the opportunity to have a weekend away hill walking, visiting historic sites and dining out. They quoted, “She had a great time and we so enjoyed having time to do what we enjoy and the weather was great too”.
Outcome
There will be more opportunities and choices available for disabled children, young people and their families, including better access to mainstream activities and leisure resources.
Results
Allowing children and young people to try new activities and providing information about opportunities to continue these activities in their local area through signposting to local clubs and groups helped achieve this outcome.
Case study
Jake a young person with vision impairment who lacked confidence to do anything in his local community, tried Judo at one event and picked up the basic skills very quickly. The coach from Judo Scotland realised that Jake was very enthusiastic and keen to learn more. He provide the young person with details of a Judo club in his area and contacted the local coach with advise about how best to include a young person with vision impairment in his group. This was followed up with parents following the event and allowed Jake to access a mainstream club in his home area.