Summary
The families we support have children with neurodiverse needs (autism/adhd) and learning disabilities and sensory issues. Our Summer Activity Programme 2023, enabled eleven families to fully participate. We ran a six week programme one day a week throughout the summer. The programme included arts/craft, bushcraft, inclusive cycling, visit to a animal park, cinema, games and a alpacas experience and celebration. We had a re - union and enjoyed meeting up at a pumpkin patch walk and pantomime.
What Adventure Families East Lothian - Summer Activity Programme 2023 did
We support parent/carers who have children with additional support needs, particularly neurodivergent children (aged 0-18 years old) with autism/ adhd, learning difficulties/disabilities and other sensory processing disorders.
After we consulted the parent/carer's and children we support. We listened to and established what they felt they needed to have a supported break as a family, which would allow them to have a inclusive, caring positive and meaningful summer activity programme opportunity. Giving us the evidence to apply for and be awarded funding from Better Breaks.
We created a family summer holiday activity programme, once a week for five weeks in 2023 for eleven families who live in East Lothian. Followed up by two family re - union opportunities for the families in October and December 2023 to re-connect.
Most of our families do not meet the criteria for disability summer schools, are on a long waiting list or can not manage mainstream summer activities. We opened applications to only the families we support (over 200), who met the criteria and would benefit from a supported and inclusive family summer activity programme. We decided keep applications in house was as we new the families and met a unfilled need.
It included all the parent/carers and they could also bring a supportive adult to support the parent/carer and children. This model came from the parent/carers themselves, as they wanted support to have a happy, positive, inclusive family experience together and meet other families in the same situation.
The programme of activities took place in East Lothian and consisted of a introduction games and art session, cinema, bushcraft, visit to a family park, inclusive cycling and a celebration alpaca day. The re - union options included a family farm pumpkin and spooky walk day in October and a Additional Support Needs pantomime in December 2023.
The summer programme was a great success, due to having highly experienced consistent staff. This helped develop good relationships with parent/carers and their children. Providing support, care and intervention with families, when any challenging dilemma's occurred during the activity.
This allowed parent/carers to have a break and also deal with challenging issues on the day, recover and not have to return home early. The activities were adapted and catered for each families individual needs as much as possible. Helping the whole family have a successful, happy , fun day together and this was great for everyone's mental health, confidence and wellbeing.
Parents and children built positive relationships with each other and we had the time to do this. Combating some of the feelings of isolation, loneliness and discrimination many parents and children feel and experience in their daily lives. The re - unions gave families the opportunity to catch up and reconnect together and have fun and try new things.
Many parent's said they would normally avoid or not even try some of these activities on their own, as they lacked self - confidence and motivation as they were normally both emotionally and physically exhausted. Also they worried too much that the day would not end well and crisis. Leaving them with feelings of guilt as their other siblings (young carers) would miss out.
All the families participated and said they enjoyed all of the activities. We had to cancel one cycling trip, due to extreme weather conditions. Our alpaca day celebration was fantastic and really helped us reflect on the friendships that had been made between children/ parent/carers. Everyone loved walking with the alpacas, making crafts, enjoying the sunshine outdoors in a safe environment. Parents loved the opportunity to have 'me' time and enjoy a Indian head massage and have a little time for themselves. All the parent/carer and children tried and enjoyed many new experience's individually, as a family and as a Adventure Families Community in 2023.
What Carers of East Lothian has learned
Ongoing flexibility needed, confirmed high level of experienced staff needed to match the needs of the families. Staying local appears to meet the needs of our families and having good and effective B and C plans and risk assessments.
How Carers of East Lothian has benefitted from the funding
We could not have run this without the funding and the support. A BIG thank you .
Project Outcomes
Outcome
Disabled children and young people (aged 20 and under) will have more opportunities to have fun, develop friendships and do activities they enjoy
Results
Many children are isolated and can not cope with mainstream activities, but do not meet criteria or can not access specialist summer provisions. The children and young people made friendships, happy connections with each other and overcome personal challenges. Trying new activities, learning and having lots of fun together with all the families who participated.
Case study
One family were very isolated and struggled to join in groups and activities. We provided a lot of pre – summer support and home visits. This helped develop trusting relationships and helped with the transitions for them to participate. We provided transport this helped reduce some of the barriers that would have stopped them participating. They tried new things and loved the bushcraft day especially and they made friends, tried new things and did things out their comfort zone. Since the end of the programme they have gained confidence to try new things eg join young carers.
Outcome
Carers of disabled children and young people (aged 20 and under) will have more opportunities to enjoy a life outside of their caring role
Outcome
Carers of disabled children and young people (aged 20 and under) will feel better supported to sustain their caring role
Outcome
Disabled children and young people (aged 20 and under) and their carers will have improved wellbeing.
Results
Everyone enjoyed the programme and greatly benefitted from the high level of support and wonderful activities. It was busy, but was also a respite break for the parents/young carers. The relationships created also create a group support bond and connection. As they got know and trust each other, many families supported and helped each other out. Parents did not need to worry about transport, lunches and costs and that was a great break, making everything possible and greatly improved their wellbeing. Being active, out in the fresh air and eating healthy food and having fun and creating special happy memories together.
Case study
One family said the programme was “a godsend” and they had never experienced a summer holiday like it and normally it is a time often dreaded, as it is such a long time. Having weekly activities to look forward to helped the summer and the level of family happiness. To take away all the hard bits, offer support and make new friends and feel relaxed and happy with each other. The staff kept connected with the families before and after each activity and this helped deal with any issues and challenges that week and prepare for the next week.