Day Trips and Group Respite Trips

In 2005, the Respite Breaks Project expanded its service to include Bonnie Camps with the aim of providing more specified respite breaks for children and young people. Named after our Co-founder Rebecca Handel’s daughter who died of AIDS, CWAC works alongside other organisations and hospitals to provide and help fund residential and day trips for those most in need.

“It was good to be in a group of children and mothers who share the same illness and just being open about issues surrounding our illness. There was a very relaxed atmosphere.”

The aim of the day trips and respite breaks is to provide a break for those parents and children who are living with HIV and who would not otherwise be able to afford to take a break in the year. Such community-based programs demonstrate how respite can also form an effective strategy that serves to avoid more traumatic out-of-home placements like foster care.

“It was most beneficial having other children around my son who is almost alone all the time at home.”

These trips are fundamental in that they provide both children and parents with temporary relief from the stresses of daily life, which can build up. For the children, these trips have helped them to relax and to build confidence whilst also making new friends. In many cases, these trips can give affected children a break from their role as carer for other family members. They can also be a welcome and guilt-free relief for parents.

Previous trips organised, funded and/or partly funded by CWAC in the last twelve months:

• 11 September 2005: Day trip to Brighton for young people living in London aged 13 to 18 years.
• 23 - 25 September 2005: Children and families trip to Manchester Cathedral Country Home with George House Trust.
• 29 October 2005: Day trip to Chessington World of Adventure for children up to 12 years and parents living in London.
• 11 April 2006: Day trip to the theatre for young children and their parents / carers with PACSH and Living Well Project, London.
• 28 April 2006: bfi IMAX, London screening for children and families with Positively Children Positively Parenting.
• 30 May 2006: Children’s trip to London Zoo with Innovative Vision Organisation.
• 1 June 2006: Children’s trip to London Trocadero Bowling with Positively Women.
• 20th July: children & families day trip to Southend organised by Umoja
• 3rd August: mothers & children day trip to Hever Castle, Kent organised by Open Door
• 6-12 August 2006: 'Bonnie Camp - one week residential trip Somerset for a group of 11-14 year olds
• 20th Feb 2007: Children's trip to Cookie Crumbles for pancake making workshop with Lighthouse
• 22nd Feb 2007: Children's trip to Science Museum
• 18th April 2007 - Children & families trip to performance of the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre

“I think that the trip was really good and I enjoyed myself. I loved Brighton because of the rides and the chips”.

London Zoo quotes from children:
 

Click here to read one mother’s account of mother and child trip to Stafford House.

Unfortunately, funds are still limited for this project at present but we hope that with extra support we will be able to increase the trips organised in coming years and help more children throughout the U.K.

Please contact Vanessa at vanessa@cwac.org if you have experience/interest in working with children and would like to find out more about volunteering for this project. Click here to read a experienced respite volunteer's account of the 2006 residential trip.


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