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Tavistock
Branch's Respite Holiday
Tavistock Branch has successfully organised an annual respite holiday
for local young people with MD for over 35 years. As funding allows,
we take away around 14 guests, from a variety of social backgrounds,
for a week of fun and entertainment. Volunteer helpers provide care
for the guests and join in with the activities. In recent years we have
stayed at a college in Hampshire which is suitably adapted for those
with disabilities. Our guests and helpers also
meet at other times during the year to maintain contact and friendships,
on a group and individual basis.
For
those who have MD...
The Holiday is a valuable opportunity for the
youngsters to get together with others who have MD and for once to not be the
"odd one out". The week is also particularly important to those with
MD in their late teens and early twenties who have left school / college and,
as a result of their disability, lead very isolated lives. Those with Duchenne
MD have to cope with the knowledge that their life will be short and can therefore
become, understandably, very de-motivated. The Holiday becomes a highlight to
look forward to in their year, bringing friendship and an opportunity to be independent
from their family, important to all young people. We invite young people
with MD from around Devon and Cornwall, aged between 13 and 35 to join the Holiday.
The exact composition of the group varies as sadly, due to individual guests'
short life-expectancy, its make-up changes with time. The majority of our guests
are in the 13 - 23 age range. For their families...
The
Holiday also provides respite for parents / carers who usually look after these
young people day in, day out. This is precious time for them to rest and to devote
time to siblings and other family members. For
our volunteers...
The Holiday is a unique experience for the young
helpers involved, a chance to learn more about the needs of others in a fun environment
and to build new friendships. It provides a grounding from which many past helpers
have gone on to pursue a career in care / medicine. We take away around 20 young
volunteer helpers, largely in the 16 - 30 age range.
Find out more about
the Costs and Funding of our holiday project.
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