Summary
We provided an 9 day Summer Club, for children with complex support needs. This was originally planned for the summer of 2020, but was eventually delivered, with changes in 2021 An actvity and play based club for children unable to access community run schemes due to their support needs.
What Corseford School Summer club 2020 (delivered in 2021) did
The school summer holiday is a particularly long holiday and has always been a stressful time for parents and carers of children with disabilities. The pupils of Corseford School have long term multiple support needs requiring intervention and support in all or most of the following - personal care, medical/nutritional care, emotional support, access to their environment and social activities and intensive help with communication. All require 24 hour care. This puts an enormous strain on carers. Approximately 1/3 of the pupils are in single parent homes and in addition there are a large number of siblings. The majority of Children who attend Corseford are unable to access local authority provision in the holidays due to their multiple support needs. This means that the pupils have very little or no opportunity to socialise with their school friends and peers. We partnered with the school to deliver a holiday club run over the summer where each young person had access to 9 days split over 3 weeks. Transport was provided to and from the club.
The young people did a variety of activities including speed boating, a visit from the Clown Doctors, and trips with Obama the Pony-Axes.
Carers were able to leave their children in the knowledge that the staff had an excellent knowledge of their needs and the equipment in the school is obviously suited to the care needs of the attendees. Owing to the particular challenges
What Corseford School Parent Council has learned
Because of covid, the project was delayed for a year, and then was circumscribed in how children could meet and families also. So we had to be creative with the budget to meet the objectives. However, this ended up providing carers with more of a break in terms of splitting up the holiday, and the children also.
How Corseford School Parent Council has benefitted from the funding
Our project would not be feasible without the support of the Short Breaks Fund.
These young people are some of the most vulnerable and isolated in our society and also the most demanding to care for. They are also the least likely group to be able to access other provision. With that in mind we hope that we can continue to run the Summer Club to provide some much needed respite for carers as well as sheer joy for the young people who attend.
We could not have done this without the Short Breaks Fund and for that we are deeply grateful
Project Outcomes
Outcome
We will have delivered an 8 day summer club to 7 young people and their families.
Results
Due to the year's delay in providing the club due to covid, the scope of the provision changed somewhat. In the end, 8 young people and their carers / families benefitted from a club where the young people had a great time over 9 days, and their families were able to enjoy some time "off".
Case study
from a parent:
"The Summer camp is a godsend. It provides a much needed break for our family during the long summer holiday. Having the transport provided ensured we were able to make the most of the time we had. We really appreciated the gift cards for the Bowfield Hotel, using them one of the days when [name] was in the club. We had a lovely family day out at the safari park courtesy of the summer club to celebrate the end of the holidays.
But most importantly [name] LOVED the summer club. She came home happy at the end of each day having enjoyed all the activities provided (many of which we would be unable to do with her). The home pack was fantastic with well thought out gifts tailored to [name's] likes.
Using the school and the school staff ensured that [name] was in a familiar setting and I was confident that the people looking after her knew her and her needs. This in turn ensured that I was able to relax and enjoy my "time off". Thank you to the parent council who have organised and run this invaluable service for the children of Corseford School for many years. Same again next year please!!!"
Outcome
Carers to report they have managed to do things which otherwise would be difficult or impossible.
Results
See above. This year we tried to concentrate more on the carers, and were able to get a discount on our local hotel's spa and restaurant facililties. We also funded trips to the safari park for families outwith the club time, so they could enjoy some time together in a relaxed environment. We chose the safari park principally because it has a "changing place" which the children all would require.
We also put together an "activity pack" for the children which was sent out at the beginning of the holiday. This included toys and games which were tailored to the individuals.
Case study
I really enjoyed having the voucher for the spa. I took myself and my daughter while [name] attended the club. We had a lovely grown up day and really appreciated the thought.
The activity pack was fun - [name] thought it was fabulous, and we all enjoyed having a bit of entertainment which we didn't need to think about too much!
Outcome
Carers will feel better rested after the 8 days
Results
We delivered 9 days over the summer which all carers reported was actually much better than having a concentrated event at the end of the holiday.
Case study
from parents:
[name] came home each day absolutely full of beans and tired out at the same time. I hadn't realised just how much the isolation at home had affected him until I saw the difference.
[name] loves going out on the speed boats, that’s definitely his favourite thing to do. We went to the Bowfield and had an amazing meal. We ended up keeping the vouchers to use when the pool opens again. They recommend we did that to get full use out the vouchers. Thanks
As a family of 4 children the summer club had been invaluable to us over the years. It allows us to spend time with our other children doing activities our disabled son can’t participate in and it proved us with a little respite. The amazing organisers put their heart and soul into ensuring it’s full of fun packed activities which I know my son have loves every minute of, most of which would be difficult for us as a family to have him involved in. Also having the transport arranged is a godsend and allows more time with the other member’s of our family. Most importantly our son loves every minute of it and gets so excited telling us what he’s been up to, and for us we know he’s in the best hands possible to look after him with his specific needs. Which gives us such peace of mind. The work involved by the organisers and staff is incredible, and very much appreciated by us so much. The summer holidays wouldn’t be the same for our son without it.
Outcome
7 young people and 22 carers reporting they enjoyed their time.
Results
8 children and 24 carers all reported that the club was fantastic.
Case study
From parents:
As a child who struggles with the changes to his routine that school holidays ultimately bring these events were a a revelation. This was the first year we used the summer club. He was able to cope better as the staff were people he was used to, all his needs could be met in surroundings he is familiar with and that enabled him to feel safe exploring activities he would not usually get the chance to experience. Also we know and TRUST these people already so it took a lot of the worry away about leaving him with people who are new. We didn’t manage to get along to the safari park trip but everything else was well organised, fun and [name] had a ball. He especially enjoyed going to Lochwinnoch for watersports and to Obama the horse. He was such a happy boy and just loved the summer club. As parents it allowed us to also have a bit of a break from constant care and to enjoy the spa gift vouchers for the Bowfield Hotel. We really never get to have a break or pamper ourselves so this was a real luxury. It made the holidays go a little bit faster and helped us feel recharged to give our best efforts in caring for our boy.
Having now experienced the summer club, I really hope that it will be able to run again this summer. It was a fantastic resource and we are extremely thankful for it.
Summer club is vitally important to us as a family. [name], who is on the autistic spectrum, enjoys the routine of going out and being with his friends. He gets so excited when he is told it’s Summer club time. This is important for him to settle back into his school routine.It was also helpful that we were able to choose dates nearer the start of the new school term. He also benefits from the continued therapy sessions from his usual therapists. He loves the boat trips and anything that involves water. He has also experienced new activities such as pony and trap rides, and bowling. The outings and activities are thoughtfully arranged for the kids individual likes and needs. The staff are all known to [name] so we don’t have to worry about him while he is there. They understand [name's] cues when he wants something or is not happy. The staff work very hard to ensure all the children have a great time. We love that the staff capture these fun times and send pictures home.
For us as a family it gives us a much needed opportunity to rest and recharge our batteries. It also gives us time away from each other to enjoy catching up with our friends .
The voucher and family treats are much appreciated. This helps to make sure that we take that time out for ourselves. A big thank you to summer club organisers and staff.