Service ends with a splash
More than 100 Warwickshire families celebrated the end of the Aiming High Short Breaks Programme last month - ensuring it went out with a splash.
Warwickshire County Council’s Integrated Disability Service (IDS) supported over 2,000 local families caring for a child with a disability during the life of the programme by giving them valuable time out for short trips, activities and respite at little or no cost.
Funded through the government’s Aiming High for Disabled Children initiative, the programme came to an end in March. However, IDS plan to continue to support some activities with an allocation of funds from the Early Intervention Grant.
To mark the end of the programme, a final trip was organised to Alton Towers. Over 100 families enjoyed an exciting overnight stay at the Splash Landings Hotel with evening entertainment and entrance to the theme park and water park.
IDS also arranged coach transport for the families from bases in Leamington Spa, Rugby and Nuneaton via coach with wheelchair access.
One Lighthorne parent who went on the trip with her daughter said: “We met so many lovely people on the weekend from varying walks of life but all had something in common - our children and living with disability.
“We felt like we were a friendly army, descending on the park, pulling together, knowing exactly what each other are going through, swapping experiences, and ideas with regards to many issues.
“The IDS staff were great, they put so much effort into this mammoth task to give everyone a wonderful experience and a memorable weekend.”
The short breaks programme was designed through consultation with children, young people, parents and carers, who were able to influence which activities offered.
Breaks have included activities like music, swimming, arts and crafts and cinema trips as well as organised visits to attractions like Twycross Zoo, Conkers Outdoor Education Centre, and Kingsbury Activity Centre.
Integrated Disability Service Manager, Lynne Barton, is thankful to all the children, their families, all the short break venues and her team of staff - Suzanne, Harj, Sarah, Su, Jason and Emma - who have all helped make the programme such a huge success.
She said: “Aiming High Short Breaks has had a positive impact on the lives of many of the families we have worked with and it has been a pleasure to offer this additional support. We are delighted that the Children’s Trust understand the value of short breaks for this group of families and are continuing to support them through the Early Intervention Grant.
“We worked closely with families on the short breaks programme to make sure all events and venues were appropriate and met their needs. Feedback from children, young people and parents was vital to this process and helped us ensure we could offer what they wanted.”
All the venues involved have benefitted from the IDS family input. It has enabled them to consider how they provide for visitors with disabilities and in turn improve their customer service and secure future integrated access for all families.