Activity breaks review
Summertime residential activity weeks offer young people with sight problems the chance to try out new things and forge new relationships.
Action Activity Weeks
"Everybody understands your situation"
In the summer of 2011, Action for Blind People's residential holidays saw young people aged 8 to 17 daring to fly on zip wires, kayak down rapids and most terrifying of all (for the staff) take part in the end of week talent competition. But on top of the excitement and physical challenge, the holidays offer an amazing chance to build confidence, independence and friendships.
We hold our Activity Breaks at outdoor activity centres, and we aim to take advantage of the full range of activities on offer such as zip wire, climbing and canoeing. We also incorporate trips in the local area such as to the ship SS Gt Britain and a safari park. There is pizza making, horse riding and of course the end of week talent competitions and disco.
Erin is 13 and has written about how she sees Action holidays as a chance to really be herself.
Susan Wright, Action's Head of Children, Young People and Family Services.
Erin:
“Mill on the Brue was my second Action Activity Week and it definitely lived up to my expectations, I made plenty of friends and even met some from my last activity week and I intend on keeping in touch with all of them.
I wanted to go to meet new people, have fun and try new things which I definitely did. Anyone in my group would be able to tell you how scared I was before I went on the zip wire but when I was soaring through the air I loved it and even wanted another go! Everyone on the activity week was friendly and helpful especially when my nightblindness came into play. I felt really at home around everyone even when I couldn't see them and they seemed more than happy to help.
I think the thing I enjoy most about these schemes is that you can be yourself, you don't have to struggle because you can't see something that everybody else can and nobody groans say for instance if you asked for the lights to be turned on. Everybody completely and utterly understands your situation in one way or another - even staff get it.
And finally, to anyone considering going on one of these activity weeks or anyone who wouldn't even think about it I'd definitely recommend it, it's a decision you wouldn't regret and possibly a once in a lifetime experience.
It gives you an opportunity to meet new people in similar situations to you and for older teens it could be a way of sharing your experiences in life with the younger children. For those dreading the activities because they're too high or because you can't swim or perhaps you've been on adventure courses with your school and feel it's hard to measure up to the fully sighted, I guarantee no pressure from anyone - you'll never be pushed into anything you don't want to do and you may find that if you do it of your own accord you'll feel a great sense of pride.
But don't take my word for it, try it for yourself and you may be pleasantly surprised in what you achieve and I hope to see many more young people participating next time around. I know I will be!
For more details of events and activities offered by Action for Blind People visit the activity calendar or call RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 999 and ask for your nearest regional children and young people’s coordinator.
This article was first published in Insight magazine, www.rnib.org.uk/insightmagazine
RNIB Cymru activity weeks
Activity breaks are also run in Wales by RNIB Cymru.
