Short Break Stories

Calvert 2015

A story by Linn Park Youth Group

We had a 2 night activity break at Calvert Trust. Our young people enjoyed activities not normally available to them due to their disabilities.

Parent/carers who accompany them also had a chance to socialise knowing the young people are in a safe, secure environment and having fun.

What Calvert 2015 did

Our break took place at Calvert Trust, Kielder which is an outdoor activity centre for young people with additional needs. All staff are fully trained.

The young people had the opportunity to use zip slides, archery, a trip on a motor boat and swimming. Parent/carers were also involved in activities with the young people.

The evenings were a chance for young people and parent/carers to interact and socialise. Young people attended a disco in the centre whilst parent/carers had the opportunity to relax and share stories, experience etc with each other knowing the young people were having fun with their peers rather than being isolated and alone at home. There was laughter and fun from start to finish

All the young people were able to socialise and participate in activities in a safe, secure and friendly environment with their peers. It was not always their own parent/carer who was "keeping an eye on them".

We all shared the care of the young people.

Everyone kept an eye on everyone else, i.e. it was not always necessarily the parent of a young person who was keeping an eye on their own young person
Parent/carers were able to socialise knowing their young people were in a safe environment. This allowed parents to share stories and problems and also gain knowledge. This helps towards making them more confident in their caring role.

They were also able to join in the activities with their young people

What Linn Park Youth Group has learned

This trip has brought our organisation, and therefore the young people, closer together. Friendships are being forged and maintained.

Those less likely to ask for support are encouraged by other parent/carers to attend. We always offer to help each other out. If a young person has particularly challenging behaviour or a particular issue, parent/carers are made aware that there will always be someone to help them out.
Top tips Linn Park Youth Group's top tips for an organisation that wants to run a similar project
Tip 1:
Always give definite time scales for responding to requests asking who would like to attend and stick to them
Tip 2:
Get some help with your planning, don't try to do it all yourself
Tip 3:
Encourage young people and parent/carers to come along on the trip, even those who are a bit apprehensive can really come out of their shell.