Short Break Stories

Calvert Kielder

A story by Linn Park Youth Group

We achieved our aim and more. The young people had a wonderful 2 days of activities which they would otherwise have been unable to participate in. Parent/carers also joined in with activities and everyone was able to socialise in the evening.

Parent/carers returned refreshed, re-energised and ready to continue in their caring role.

The aim of our project was to allow the young people to have the same opportunities and experiences as others of a similar age. Also to allow parent/carers an opportunity to share experiences and knowledge in a social setting. Our main aim was to allow our young people to have fun and our parent/carers to have a break away from their usual caring role.
Tip 1:
Encourage parent/carers to attend, i.e. advising them their young people will be able to participate in ALL activities.
Tip 2:
The trip will be a learning experience for both parent/carers and young people
Tip 3:
Have fun, enjoy and you will be able to relax knowing your young people are safe and are being included in all aspects of the weekend
When our young people attend Calvert they are able to socialise and enjoy activities which their peers take for granted and which our young people are unable to otherwise participate in.

Parent/carers also have the chance to share experience, knowledge and sometimes just have a good old moan with other parent/carers. We are "all in the same boat" so to speak and it is wonderful to be in an environment where our young people are neither stared at nor frowned upon for their sometimes unusual behaviours.
Only someone who cares for a disabled young person would know the huge impact on well being trips such as this have. All parent/carers always come back from these trips with a bit more knowledge than they left with. They are made more aware that they are not alone in their caring role and there are others who are ready and willing to listen and share knowledge. Parent/carers are able to let their guard down as our young people are socialising in a safe environment.
It enables parent/carers so feel better supported to sustain their caring role because they feel "included in life". They realise there are others like themselves and friendships are forged which last a very long time into the future, well after our trip is over.
The principles of the fund are to improve well being and create respite for all involved. Our projects always reflect these principles as I have outlined above.
Funding does enhance development of our young people. It allows them to have a certain degree of indepdence, it encourages communication and allows them to grow and develop interests such as those of a similar age enjoy.
Since our young people cannot socialise on their own outwith the Club, an unanticipated benefit is it allows them to have a common interest and something they can all talk about together, all of them having had the same experience. They do indeed still talk about "the Calvert trip" long after it is over and look forward with anticipation to the next one, should we be lucky enough to be funded once more.
All of our parent/carers were targeted.
Our Club is run for young people with learning/physical disabilities which include : Severe and complex learning disability, Downs Syndrome, Autism, Dyspraxia, Epilepsy, Visual Impairement,Asthma, Dyplegic Cerebal Palsy, Deafness, Moderate Learning Disabilities, Henninegalencephaly, Polymonpuous/Myoclovic Epilepsy
I am totally happy with the way things were dealt with and the staff who guided me
From the moment our young people return they are already asking when they can go back again. This feedbank is immeasurable and hugely rewarding. Throughout the year they are always asking when our next trip will be.

"These breaks are the best thing that can happen to caring families. The time away is just perfect to relax and escape just for a while"

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