Holiday in Perth
A story by Enable Stornoway & District Branch
We left Stornoway on the 7 am ferry on the Monday, travelled by coach to Perth, arriving in the late afternoon. On Tuesday we went to the Deepsea World at Queensferry, and took in tenpin bowling in Dunfermline.
Wednesday was spent in the city with an evening at Perth concert hall to see the Foster & Allen show. Thursday visited Blair Drummond Safari Park, evening entertainment of Scottish singing and dancing in the hotel.
After breakfast on Friday headed for Ullapool to catch the evening ferry back to Stornoway. We had an amazing time, and it makes it all worthwhile when you see the smile on the faces of those involved.
What Holiday in Perth did
As we're a voluntary organisation, we don't have staff. The members chose who went on the trip by inviting each other and extending an invitation to likewise adults in local care homes and their carers. The short break was a coach trip which the members themselves decided on and chose a location and activities at monthly meetings during the course of the year.
After visiting the Deepsea world North Queensferry in the morning of the first day, the afternoon was taken up by both the carers and the cared for, enjoying a session of tenpin bowling in Dunfermline before returning to Perth in time for dinner.
As most members were tired following the Monday ferry/coach journey it was decided that Wednesday should be a more relaxing day for those on the trip, some went into the city, others decided to relax in the hotel, until evening time when a visit to the concert hall was thoroughly enjoyed by all. The first time many on the trip had ever been to a concert hall where such well known professionals were entertaining. A truly memorable occasion.
Shortly after breakfast on Thursday the coach took us to Blair Drummond Safari Park, at first the coach took us round the park, then our members went for a close up walk to see the animals. Evening entertainment was provided by the hotel, which consisted of dancing and singing where one of our group along with a guest from a Belgian coach tour were invited by the local entertainer to sing on stage.
Friday after breakfast our luggage was loaded on to the coach and we headed for Inverness, where we stopped for lunch before the final part of our journey to Ullapool to board the ferry at 5 pm and embarking on the two and a half hour trip to Stornoway
What Enable Stornoway & District Branch has learned
The difference the fund has made is that both carer and the cared for would not have been able to undertake this sort of short break trip, due to added costs and the support they receive from each other. The support these people receive from each other, when together should never be underestimated.There are always unexpected challenges when on such trips, the benefits are that together they are able to overcome any challenge that they come up against.
The best way of attracting carers in a small community like ours is usually by word of mouth and explaining what's needed and involved in some particular caring roles.