Many of the vulnerable children we work with won't get the chance of a holiday this year.
Many of them have never seen the sea, camped out under the stars, or been read a bedtime story.
We'll provide a week's therapeutic holiday in the country where children can have a break from their adversity.
For many children living in poverty, access to a summer holiday with fun activities is a distant dream.
Children have no chance to experience new things that can help transform their self-esteem.
Additionally, often vulnerable children struggling with managing emotions and difficult circumstances at home are seen as 'damaged' or 'at risk'. They don't feel special, or valued, and can have difficulty trusting adults.
We'll provide a range of activities that will be new experiences for many of the children, giving them something they can share at school and a chance for them to feel good about themselves - overcoming a fear of heights, perhaps, or unlocking a new passion for the outdoors by learning that they're really good at putting up a tent.
By running one week's residential.
Increased self-esteem for children, building resilience to life's challenges.
We will work closely with the children's schools and referrals to monitor any improvements in the child's behaviour and wellbeing.
Success for us is any small change in the child's ability to manage their feelings in a healthy way. Often it takes a long time for the result of this kind of support to be visible.
However, an experience of feeling special will be internalised and has a lasting positive impact.
We have run similar projects to these for over 35 years combined.
We risk asssess all activities and the site, train and DBS check all volunteers, and have stringent safeguarding procedures in place.
Vulnerable children aged 8-13 struggling with their emotional health often due to experiences of trauma, neglect, parental mental/physical health difficulties, housing instability or food poverty.
Between us, we have over 35 years combined of running similar projects for other organisations.