We have had a fun filled summer with lots of activities for families. We have been to Washbrooks Farm, Thames Valley Adventure Playground, Fisher’s Farm Park, Bluebell Railway, Tilgate Park, Cirque Show at the Brighton Centre, Pizza & Bowling, Knockhatch Adventure Playground and the favourite – a boat trip from Brighton Marina!
47 families have been on one or more of these trips over the summer – the boat trip alone catered for 23 families (39 people on one trip and 44 on a second as there were too many people for a single trip!)
We have also held our group holiday to Kench Hill in Kent. This was another big success with 13 families getting the opportunity to experience a fun filled break away. We split it into two groups, with the first doing Monday to Friday and the second doing Friday to Monday. This enabled us to offer a holiday to a greater number of families. We were very lucky with the weather which helped. We organised day trips whilst away, had fun in the garden, made fires, and enjoyed the lovely cooking of Marina and her Mum Val, who gave us some delicious meals.
Here’s what one family told us about the holiday: “The Kench Hill Summer Residential is the highlight of our school summer holiday. My grandson T-J spent all year talking about the people he met and the experiences he had and couldn’t wait for the independence this holiday affords him. He has made forever friends, sauntered downstairs to meet them for breakfast cereal, developed a penchant for squirty cream on jelly, cake and ice cream!, basked on beaches, climbed up castle turrets, got up close and personal at a petting zoo, travelled on steam trains, toasted marshmallows over a fire he helped to build, been brave and bold battling with ligt sabres, disco danced and laughed out loud, living his best life. And me? I found comfort and solace, knowing I’m not alone in this topsy turvy SEND world whist filled with abundant joy as I watched our group blossom and grow as beautiful as the flower filled gardens that surrounded us. T-J was not the only one with tears in his eyes as we had to say goodbye … hopefully to do it all again next year.”
We are very grateful for the continued support from everyone at Brighton & Hove Mencap – your grants have helped us deliver these magical experiences for our families. Thank you!
