Summary
FOSS developed our provision of a 1 week family holiday for a maximum of 25 weeks for children aged and young people aged 5-18 with a very wide range of complex physical and learning difficulties together with their families in a fully equipped residential caravan with at the Berwick Holiday Centre
What Family Caravan Holiday Programme did
Our core services and greatest achievment is to organise and manage all aspects of a respite caravan proframme for upto 25 familiys for a week's short break at Bewrick Holiday Park. The caravan is fullly equipped and has disabled access and wetroom. Families have been able to enjoy and participate in a wide range of activities on site, these have been inclusive mainstream activities. Over 97% of the children have been able to enjoy the use of the swiimming pool daily, as well as enjoying Splash Fun Times with inflatables, Pool Party. Sport Fun Club, Ceramic Club, Nature Club, Ranger Experience, Kid's Night Entertianment, Bowling, Arcades, Bungee Fun and Horseriding.
Other activites have included long walks, trips to the beach, and day excursions to surrounding towns and place of interest. Some families enjoyed a trip cycling arounf Holy Island.
The provision of more opportunties and choices, which have included better access to mainstream activities and leisure facilities has been very significant, Adaptation to actvities to enable the child or young person to participate has been widely acknowledged by carers.
We were able to offer a total of 25 short breaks from April to October for 42 carers and 35 children and young people. This equates to short break carer hours of 5,580 and 7,056 children and young people. The families were from across Midlothian, all children and young people were pupils from Saltersgate School. The project targets were exceeded with an additional 13 carers and 26 children being able to access a short break. Over 95% of carers have stated that they feel more condifent, less stressed, less isolated and feel re-engergised following their short break.
The progress of the project was timely due to the short breaks being offerred throughout ther peak holiday season. Several carers have expressed an interest in having the opportunity to be able to access a short break outwith the peak holiday season.
Unfortunalty we experienced some signiificant damage to the caravan in December which incurred additional costs, however due to this being out of season it did not impact on us being unable to offer a short break to families.
What Friends of Saltersgate School (FOSS) has learned
We have learned a significant amount from undertaking the project. It has given us an opportunity to develop our project planning and budgeting and allow us to plan for the future ahead. Planning the delivery of the project was timely, and over a short period of time during peak season (March - October). We have capacity to further expand our respite provision, as many families have expressed interest in having a short break during quieter times and during the winter months. We could aim to develop this by offering weekend or midweek breaks, this in turn would support our future budgeting and on-going sustainability of the project.
As a result of the undertaking the project we have been able to reach out and engage with many new families. This was due to new school pupil intake in both primary and secondary. This resulted in several new families being able to access and enjoy a short break experience.
The caravan coordinator worked very closely with school teaching staff and social work and other professionals to ensure we were targeting those families inmost need of support. Three families were identified that without support to get transport they would not be able to access a short break. Transport was arranged for these families meaning that they were able to enjoy a short break and some valuable time together as a family.
We experienced some unexpected challenges during the project, fortunately this was in December, and did not impact on any short break provision. This due to the adverse weather conditions and several caravans on the site had significant damage as a result of snow and ice and extreme cold temperatures.
How Friends of Saltersgate School (FOSS) has benefitted from the funding
Our organisation has benefited hugely from the Better Breaks funding, it has allowed us to plan, budget and deliver 25 short breaks to carers and young people living with the most complex of conditions. Without this opportunity many of our children and young people and their families would not have been able to access a short break.
Through raising our profile within the local community we have been able strengthen our organisation's reputation.
We are keen to expand our service provision by running a pararell project for some of our most complex children and young people who are unable to access a short break due to the complexity of their health needs. The aim would be to offer subsidized self catering short breaks in chalets with tracking hoists and open plan facilities. This would offer equal opportunities for all the children and young people and their families to be able to access a much needed break together.
On-going funding needs to be secured for this to go forward, how our experience with the funding application process for Better Breaks has give n us confidence w that we can achieve this.
Project Outcomes
Outcome
16 disabled children and young people having a caravan holiday with access to a full range of inc lusive mainstrian activities provided at the caravan park.
Results
We were able to offer a total of 42 disabled children and young people a short break with full access to a wide range of inclusive mainstream activities provided on site at Berwick Holiday centre. This total exceeded our original target which was for 16 children and young people to have access to a short break, thus meaning that an additional 20 children were able to enjoy a break, Over 97% of the children and young people have been able to enjoy and participate and enjoy the range of activities on offer. Adaptions were made to children and young people who needed additional support due to the nature and complexity of their health care needs. Staff on site were fully supportive and recognised that some children find it difficult to take turns and queue for activities and they were very responsive and supportive in ensuring children and young people did not have to queue for activities which allowed them to fully participate in the activity with minimum stress and anxiety
Case study
Sarah and Jon are parents to (15) year old Jack. Jack has a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder , Heightened Sensory Responses and Challenging Behaviours. It is important for Jack to have routine and structure in his daily living and activities. Jack requires a high level of support and direct supervision and observation at all times to ensure his safety and well-being.
Due to the complexity of jack's condition his parents are unable to work and are in receipt of benefits. Jack needs two people to be with him at all times, as he has no perception of safety.
Jack and his parents would find it hard to access a holiday, they worry that people will not understand Jack's level of care needs. They were understandably very anxious about taking Jack. We were able to reassure them that the caravan would be a safe place for Jack, there is a safety gate in place, which would help prevent Jack from running off, which was one of his parents biggest fears.
The family were obviously apprehensive, as they had no transport we were able to plan that for them, which meant Jack could travel safely as he is unable to use public transport.
The family retuned from the holiday having had a great time. Jack had loved all the activities on offer and staff were very supportive and welcoming to all the family.
Sara stated ' We have had such an amazing time, we have spent much needed quality time together making fabulous memories, The support on site, was just fantastic, and we were made to feel very welcomed, which was such a relief, as it is not always like that when you have a child with additional needs. Jack's needs were always considered during activities and that just made such a huge difference to our experience. Best family holiday we have had, just fabulous'.
Outcome
90% of carers feeling more condifent, less stressed and isolated and recharged att he end of their break.
Results
We were able to offer 42 carers a short break, this equated to short break carer hours of 5,580. Over 95% of carers have stated that they felt more confident, less stressed or isolated, and all reporting that they felt re-energised after the break. Many acknowledged that they didn't realise how much they needed a break. The everyday routine of appointments, therapies, medical interventions they have on a weekly basis they all had within their caring role, it was difficult for them prior to the break to envisage or acknowledge how much a short break away from same, can change or impact so significantly on their caring role.
Families were able to enjoy much needed family time together participating in a wide range of leisure facilities and enjoying other trips off the site, which included long walks. trips to the beach, and day excursions to surrounding towns and places of interest. Carers had the opportunity to form new friendships with other families in a similar situations.
Case study
Elaine and Robert are parents to Claire (7), Claire has a cardiac condition and as a result the family do not normally go much further than home as Claire's condition can deteriorate very quickly. Claire also needs to be in an environment that it warm as she is unable to regulate her body temperature. The family were a new family to the school as Claire had just started as a new pupil in the primary. The family had received a letter home informing them about the caravan and were curios to see if they would manage to go. They have always been reluctant to take Claire anywhere due to the complexity of her condition. However, they were aware that the family had experienced a difficult year with recurrent illness and hospital admissions and felt they all needed to have a break away together.
Claire's parents were very anxious, the caravan co-ordinator spent a lot of time reassuring them that there was access to doctors chemists and hospital if at all needed. An information pack was devised and all emergency contact provided for the family. This helped to reassure them, that they could potentially manage a break away from home.
From being very anxious and concerned about going the family returned from the break having had a great time. Elaine stated ' We were so nervous about going away with Claire, but knew we were all in desperate need of such time away. We have had an amazing time, we have re-bonded, laughed, played games, participated in activities, went to shows, had fun on the beach, lovely long walks. It's not just our daughter that's benefited, it's reunited us a family unit. As parents we feel refreshed, less tired and stressed, now know we can take breaks and that we need to take same. As a family, we will all treasure the memories we have made here'.
Outcome
22 carers taking part and recognising that it is important to take breaks.
Results
We were able to offer 25 short breaks from April to October 2017 inclusive this resulted in 35carers being able to access a short break. This exceeded our original target of 22 carers resulting in a further 13 carers, being able to access a short break.. For the majority of all these carers this would be one of the only opportunities for them to have a break away with their family. Many of the families are on low income and a holiday is not possible due to their financial circumstances, having the opportunity to being able to access a low cost fordable break, was hugely appreciated.
Families were able to enjoy some much needed quality time away together, with all carers recognising and acknowledging that this time is much needed . Many reported feeling less stressed, less isolated and more confident within their caring role, recognising that making and taking time for regular breaks is hugely significant to supporting their health and well-being in their caring role.
Case study
Elaine and Robert are parents to Claire (7), Claire has a cardiac condition and as a result the family do not normally go much further than home as Claire's condition can deteriorate very quickly. Claire also needs to be in an environment that it warm as she is unable to regulate her body temperature. The family were a new family to the school as Claire had just started as a new pupil in the primary. The family had received a letter home informing them about the caravan and were curios to see if they would manage to go. They have always been reluctant to take Claire anywhere due to the complexity of her condition. However, they were aware that the family had experienced a difficult year with recurrent illness and hospital admissions and felt they all needed to have a break away together.
Claire's parents were very anxious, the caravan co-ordinator spent a lot of time reassuring them that there was access to doctors chemists and hospital if at all needed. An information pack was devised and all emergency contact provided for the family. This helped to reassure them, that they could potentially manage a break away from home.
From being very anxious and concerned about going the family returned from the break having had a great time. Elaine stated ' We were so nervous about going away with Claire, but knew we were all in desperate need of such time away. We have had an amazing time, we have re-bonded, laughed, played games, participated in activities, went to shows, had fun on the beach, lovely long walks. It's not just our daughter that's benefited, it's reunited us a family unit. As parents we feel refreshed, less tired and stressed, now know we can take breaks and that we need to take same. As a family, we will all treasure the memories we have made here'.
Outcome
16 children/young people who attend Saltersgate school together with their families will be offerred and supported to have a 1 week caravan holiday at Berwick Holiday Centre with it's inclusive facilities and extensive activites programme.
Results
We were able to offer 25 short breaks which resulted in 42 children and young people being able to access a short break The children are all currently pupils who attend Saltersgate school in Midlothian. They all have a wide range of severe physical and complex health needs and intellectual disability .
The caravan at Berwick is fully equipped with disabled access and wet room, additionally a safety gate was fitted to ensure the personal safety of the children and young people.
The site has a wide range of activities on site, these have all been inclusive mainstream activities. Over 97% of the children have been able to enjoy the use of the swimming pool daily, as well as enjoying other water sport related activities, such as Splash Time and Pool Party. Other sports included bowling, wheelchair bowling, and horse-riding. Craft and ceramic clubs, Nature Club and Ranger Experiences, Bungee fun and nightly family entertainment were all accessible to the family during their stay.
Case study
Richard & Susan are parents to Kevin (16) and Melissa (9). Both Kevin and Melissa have additional needs. Kevin has a rare genetic disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder, he is non-verbal. Melissa has an intellectual disability and is visually impaired.
Due to the complexity of the children's differing needs it can be difficult try to access somewhere where the children will be able to access a range of mainstream activities, for that same reason the family usually stay at home. However, they had been encouraged by school staff to consider going to the caravan. The caravan co-ordinator spoke to them about the range of activities on offer and that the site aimed to be very welcoming and inclusive. Kevin's parents were worried about how he would engage as he found being involved in activities very overwhelming and stressful.
The family went with an open mind, thinking that one parents would end up being with one child and the other with other child as that was just how things had to be. However, on returning from their break Kevin's dad Richard stated ' we just want to say a huge thank you for the week away, it was very much needed and both Kevin & Melissa had an absolute ball. Kevin even got in the pool twice, first time he has managed that in over 1o years!! He also managed to go into the restaurant which he hasn't done in about 13 or 14 years. He has had such a great time, as did Melissa. We can't quite believe what they have both achieved this week. Huge thank you to all at FOSS for making our break a reality'.