Children with difficulties in the Thames Valley area
Are referred by parents, schools, and social workers and our typical age range is eight to sixteen. The Trust aims to take children who will benefit most from the week as well as children who are particularly in need of support.
Children have a dedicated one to one helper, of the same gender, who is with them throughout the week, forming an important bond.
We never turn a child away and take children with extremely complex medical and care needs.
Every year, we take away a significant number of wheelchair bound children and those requiring complete support.
Care is continuous; there are volunteers on duty 24 hours a day, both male and female.
The safety and welfare of the children is paramount at all times
All helpers are eighteen or over and are usually known to the Trustees or former and current volunteers. We perform DBS checks on every helper and they also provide two references before having their volunteer place confirmed.
Each child has a dedicated helper who us responsible for their wellbeing for the duration of the week. There is also a dedicated leader of the week who has responsibility for the well being of all those on the week, as well as a number of ‘floating’ helpers who provide additional support to ensure the smooth running of the week.
We are the first port of call for schools who have identified children and families in need.
We regularly take children on holiday who have never been away from home before.
We have strong relationships with a number of social services and special needs schools.
Families also benefit from the holidays, often getting the first respite in the child’s life.
The safety and enjoyment of the children in our care is of paramount importance.
Detailed care information is provided by parents/guardians in a medical form and general questionnaire before the start of the week. This is followed up at the start of the week when parents get the chance to meet their helper assigned to their child for the week over lunch to discuss their child’s needs, capabilities, and preferences.
This ensures that no child takes part in activities that would put them at risk, or that they would not enjoy. We perform detailed risk assessments for all activities and any accidents or incidents are documented.
We understand it can be difficult to send a child away from home for what may be the first time.
To reassure parents, they are able to meet the helper assigned to their child at a lunch on the first day of the holiday. This gives parents the chance to pass on care information and the confidence that their child will be well looked after while they are away.