Summary
A holiday programme for young people (aged 11 to 18) in Glasgow with complex support needs. We provided a choice of activities and outings: enabling the young people to have fun and socialise, whilst their carers and families had a break.
What DASH Summer Holiday Programme did
COVID meant we were unable to run our planned holiday programme over the summer. However, as restrictions eased, and knowing that our service users and their families were struggling we delivered a short 4x half-day programme at the start of August. Increased restrictions then prevented us from delivering any more breaks until April 2021 when we ran a weekend programme of 4x half-day outings to parks.
We based the August programme at Broomlea Primary school in Glasgow. We carried out a thorough risk assessment and developed COVID related policies and procedures that covered all aspects of the programme. We trained staff on the new procedures on Zoom prior to the start of the programme.
We offered all DASH Club members a space on the programme and 19 young people took up the opportunity. This is less than we would usually expect for our programmes but some of our members are either clinically vulnerable or have family members who are.
We spent as much time as possible outside playing games, using adapted bikes etc When it rained we moved into the school’s large gym hall for games, storytelling and art. For our inclusive sports coaches the challenge was to devise games that kept the young people distanced from one another. This they did with great success and imagination.
In Spring 2021 we delivered 4 half-day outings to parks. Again all club members were offered a place, and 10 joined the programme. We took them to Drumpellier and Strathclyde parks, both of which have adventure playgrounds and incorporated around 4 miles of walking into each outing as we were aware that the young people had not had much exercise during lockdown.
We made the decision when planning both programmes not to ask for fees as we would usually do as we knew that lockdown had affected the finances as well as the wellbeing of our families.
The carers and families of the young people used the respite to do chores, enjoy leisure activities, focus on other family members, and “have a bit of headspace”.
Our project addressed five of the Better Breaks priorities: Complex Needs, Sports and Active Leisure, Independence, Transition to Adulthood, and Diversity.
What Project Manager has learned
We were very anxious about delivering the August Programme due to the risk of COVID, and the challenge of developing and implementing new policies and procedures to mitigate that risk. We therefore spent some time researching what advice and guidance there was, and found some very useful resources (including from Shared Care), which we were able to use. Having put together our COVID policies/procedures we trained our staff in them before the start of programme, briefed them again on the first day and at the end of each day reviewed how the procedures were working, and implementing any changes if required.
We learnt from this that when faced with an unprecedented situation taking things step by step, using the experience and guidance of others, and regularly reviewing our approach made what initially seem "impossible" - doable.
We also learnt that our staff are very adaptable - they quickly adopted all the new procedures, and used their initiative to tweak how they worked, organised activities, and designed games so as to comply with guidance.
The weekend outings programme was new to us, so we took some time to ask what interest there was in the programme, and what days/times would best suit our families, asked staff how many would be able/want to work at the weekend, and what days/times suited them, we also asked NATA if they would be able to provide transport and if so, how many buses and drivers. Once we had this information we were able to put together an outline plan for the project and manage expectations as to what we could provide. Whilst we were able to offer a place on the programme to all young people who wanted one, we didn't have the capacity (staff/transport) for everyone to come on every outing.
We learnt that when putting together a new project it's important to do some groundwork to establish both what is wanted and what is possible as there maybe be a gap between demand and capacity.
How Project Manager has benefitted from the funding
Whilst we were unable to use the funding to deliver the planned project, it and the resources put together by Shared Care did help us to provide a much needed break at the end of the summer holidays. In doing so we built our skills and knowledge through developing and implementing COVID policies and procedures, and adapting to new ways of working.
We were also able to pilot a weekend programme - something we had already been thinking of, and we now have a much better idea of what the demand is for weekend activities, what capacity we need to to meet that demand, and how to manage the logistics of the outings.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
Young people with complex support needs will have taken part in a variety of fun, stimulating activities over the summer break. They will have developed friendships, and will be more confident/motivated to join in the activities that form our core term-time programme.
Results
We were unable to deliver our target of a 9 day core programme and we were restricted in the range of activities that we could offer, with no outings possible during the summer. However, both the short August programme and the weekend outings provided our young people with a much needed chance to socialise and have fun with their peers after extensive periods of isolation. It was clear from the first day when the young people came smiling off the buses, delightedly greeting their friends, that it was going to be a success.
We played a lot of team games which helped to encourage friendships, but also provided an “art-corner” and (individual) access to a small sensory room so that the young people were able to spend time quietly on their own if they needed to.
Whilst some of the young people were noticeably more eager to engage with their friends than usual, one or two were initially less confident than before lockdown, taking a day or so to settle in and renew friendships
Case study
P. is 14 and has a condition which restricts his mobility. During the first lockdown P. felt very isolated and was depressed, not wanting to come out of his room and as a result his strength and mobility deteriorated further. P. came to both the August programme and the weekend programme.
P's best friend also attended the August programme and they were quick to renew their friendship, and P. was happy and sociable throughout the programme. P. needed to use his wheelchair more than he had pre-lockdown but with encouragement and motivated by being with friends and the activities, he walked a little more each day. His family reported that he was much happier at home and tired from the activities, was sleeping well. His family said their own wellbeing also improved both from P. being happier and also from having time to themselves.
P. was ready to return to school after the programme with a positive frame of mind, and although initially very tired at the end of the day, he was nonetheless able to cope with the school day.
Outcome
Carers will have been able to spend time over the summer holidays with friends and families - engaging in activities that they aren’t usually able to access in their caring role.
Results
We weren't able to offer carers as much time as we had planned through the project, and restrictions meant that during the August programme they would have been limited in what activities they could have taken part in. However, we know from feedback that even the 4 consecutive half days we provided enabled carers to engage in activities they don't have time for when looking after their child with complex needs. For many, after months of lockdown it gave them some space "just to be".
The weekend half days in Spring 2021 gave the carers a chance to do more at the weekends with other family members. We transported the young people to and from activities and this provided additional time to the carers.
Case study
W. the mother of a child with complex needs told us that she was exhausted from looking after her son during lockdown. Her son struggled to entertain himself, and demanded constant attention from her. As a consequence, W. had almost no time to herself, and lockdown meant she didn't have access to her usual support networks -it was difficult to even interact with extended family and friends via Zoom/phone.
The four consecutive half days in August gave her the chance to have some breathing space, and to engage uninterrupted in activities - eg. talking to a friend, or reading a book. It also gave her the chance to "miss" her son and enjoy his company when he came home.
Outcome
The young people will have improved well-being from having a structured, fun programme of activities. They will be more relaxed and be better able to manage the transition from school to “holiday”.
Carers will have had a chance to relax, & spend time focusing on themselves and their families
Results
We usually have our core summer programme at the start of the summer which helps with the transition from school to holiday. However, the August programme instead helped the young people transition from lockdown back to school. After months of isolation, lack of structure and inactivity, they spent time with friends, and having fun in the familiar context of "DASH". As a result they were better prepared to return to the school environment the following week.
The weekend outings gave a focus to the weekend, and an opportunity to access parks and adventure playgrounds, something that it can be hard for our young people to do without a lot of support. They benefited from the stimulation, the exercise, and being with friends.
Their carers reported that the young people were more relaxed at home as a result, less frustrated and slept better. The carers own wellbeing improved from being able to spend more time addressing their own needs and those of their families.
Case study
P. is 14 and has a condition which restricts his mobility. During the first lockdown P. felt very isolated and was depressed, not wanting to come out of his room and as a result his strength and mobility deteriorated further. P. came to both the August programme and the weekend programme.
P's best friend also attended the August programme and they were quick to renew their friendship, and P. was happy and sociable throughout the programme. P. needed to use his wheelchair more than he had pre-lockdown but with encouragement and motivated by being with friends and the activities, he walked a little more each day. His family reported that he was much happier at home and tired from the activities, was sleeping well. His family said their own wellbeing also improved both from P. being happier and also from having time to themselves.
P. was ready to return to school after the programme with a positive frame of mind, and although initially very tired at the end of the day, he was nonetheless able to cope with the school day.