Short Break Stories

Bringing Kin Together

A story by West Dunbartonshire Kinship Carers

We organised a 4 day holiday to Flamingo Land West Yorkshire for Kinship Carer’s and their families living in West Dunbartonshire. Their first ever

Their first ever holiday it was a time for the children to bond and make new frienships with children of the same circumstances to better their daily lives and show that they are not “alone” in kinship. We are a support group in West Dunbartonshire who provide support and a listening ear to carers in the region

What Bringing Kin Together did

The break took place in the Easter school holidays 2016 and consisted of Kinship Carers and the children they care for embarking on thier first holiday together. Flamingo Land was a great choice allowing freedom for the children in an enclosed safe environment thus affording carers some precious time out from the everyday stresses that comes in most caring roles be it Kinship or others.

The children bonded and made new friendships with other Kinship children and this has had a positive effect on the group as children often feel "different" from other peers who are not in a Kinship family.

Wrist bands were provided meaning the children could go on rides etc all included in cost which took a big financial strain off carers during the holiday and the venue acted as a meeting place for carers to relax at night after a day of non stop activities with the park which also includes a zoo.

The carer and child had never had a holiday together because of poverty this greatly improved the relationship in a stress free way by the carer not having to get into the debt trap to provide a break thus improving both the mental well being and psychological well being of both carer and child.

All the children were able to bond and develop relationships with children in the same circumstances which meant there was no stigma or feelings of isolation or being "different" all children were on holiday in the same circumstances of being raised in Kinship Families.
One of the Kinship children had been in the foster care system for over a year before the Kinship placement the child was returned to her family after a long period which caused the carer a great deal of anguish and hurt. The holiday meant the family could continue to build the relationship that had been severed and the carers mental health was vastly improved during a bonding holiday that otherwise may not have happened.

What West Dunbartonshire Kinship Carers has learned

We learned that it is very important for both children and carers to have respite and to bond in a relaxed setting that provides space for both the child and the carer. We learned that Kinship children do feel "different" but amongst children like themselves they are able to relax and enjoy everyday childhood things with no thoughts of being different in any way.
Top tips West Dunbartonshire Kinship Carers's top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
Go to a place that caters for families this is important we feel
Tip 2:
Try to make journey time reasonable as children get over excited and long journeys will heighten this
Tip 3:
Choose a break with varied activities that are included in the cost we found this a very good key to less stress or financial worry