Summary
Bright Sparks offers families and carers the unique opportunity to experience supported breaks away, which due to their children’s disabilities would not always be possible. These breaks are fully organised and facilitated by parent volunteers.
What Family Experiance Take 3 did
•No staff were employed for the project it was organized and coordinated by volunteers.
•This was our 3rd year of The family experience so our youngest aged group of children were eligible for the family experience. We used Facebook and survey monkey to include all parent carers
•Family Experience to Blackpool for 3 days at Easter staying in The Big Blue Hotel, including Pleasure Beech Passes
•Barony Castle Hotel and Spa – 7 weekend breaks for 1 or 2 nights including breakfast and evening meal with use of spa facilities. For couples or individual carers
•Moness Spa Resort – 2 luxury cottages for 2 nights with full access to leisure facilities including a grocery pack. We had 2 separate weekend breaks here in May & August
•Dublin – 2 nights city break in shared apartments for couples and individual carers
•Madrid – Our first dad’s only break! 2 nights city break in a shared apartment including tickets to watch Real Madrid play
•Lunch at Beijing Banquet
•Sportsman Dinner
•Cinema – Carers event and a family event
•Bowling – 8 Lanes for a family session
•Ryze Trampoline Centre – Exclusive hire for our families
•Go Karting – Dad’s mini Grand Prix
•Nerf Wars – Kids activity
We used the contributions received to run a 2 nights/3 days break to Reykjavik in Iceland for 24 parent carers. This break included a visit to The Blue Lagoon, Circle Tour and Northern Lights Experience
What Bright Sparks Playgroups has learned
Organisation is essential, with forward planning and pre booking. This allows us to maximise the budget received
Online surveys so our families can have their opnion on what they do and where they go.
Maintaning good working relationships with other companies and organisations
How Bright Sparks Playgroups has benefitted from the funding
We mananged to support 204 carers and 248 children with additional support needs.
We piloted our first dad's break away
We learned that exclusive use of some places is essential for our families and to maximise numbers
Project Outcomes
Outcome
Successfully completed Take 3 giving the youngest group the experience of a supported family break
Results
We successfully offered all families from the youngest group an oppertunity to access a supported family break
Case study
We went on the tram and visited South Pier. Also visited Blackpool Zoo which was fab. It was so lovely for the four of us to spend time together. Financially not always easy to take the kids on holiday so lovely that the hotel and pleasure beach were paid for. A real treat from start to finish.
Life can be tough with a child with ASD. Family time and getting a break from every day routines is great for us as parents and for both the kids. It meant a great deal to us to be able to take the kids away for Easter and something we would have struggled to do financially without the help of Bright Sparks
Outcome
Completion of first dad’s carer break giving them the opportunity to relax
Results
Sucessfully completed our first dad's only break
Case study
Quite simply, it was a type of break that I no longer viewed as being possible. To be able to relax from caring duty and do something that is once in a life time was fantastic. It was also a brilliant opportunity to make new friends, something that for a carer is very very difficult.
It was good getting to know the other dad's with kids that attend bright sparks, sharing our stories and experiences, and of course having a bit of a laugh.
My wife takes my son to Bright sparks as i am working. This was the first time i was able to speak to other parents (fathers) about their experience with their kids. The guys with older kids that have been where i am just now with my 3 year old was all very positive and it gave me hope for the future.
Building friendships with dads/carers who also care for children with complex needs. To know that you are not alone, learn from their experiences and also share yours. Bright Sparks is creating a community of people who are working together for the good of all our families.
Outcome
Carers experiencing time for themselves with others who are in a similar situation
Results
102 carers attended an overnight break away from their caring role
Case study
Being with other carers and being able to recharge my batteries and just be "me" for a few days was invaluable. I'm reminded that I am more than just "mum"! We all cared for each other and chipped in with the housework! We respected each other and helped the others anyway we could to make sure each of us enjoyed our break and didn't feel too guilty! It reminded me that I am not alone in my parenting of a special needs child journey!
Outcome
New friendships made with other carers
Results
A group of mums who became friends on a carers break have recently just been away for a weekend again together
Case study
After experiancing my first carer break and the benefits it gave me i was determind to allow myself time for me again.
My new friends and I managed to organise a 2 night trip away to allow us some me time. We returned to the same location as we attended previously as we felt confident and safe due to the prior booking
Outcome
Reaffirming good working relationships with partner organisations within mainstream and leisure activities
Results
Continuing to maintain our good relations with other organisations and companies
Case study
Group booking discounts received, early bird offers and free cancellation