CaseStudies


	Bridgetts Farm Offices, Bridgetts Lane Martyr Worthy Winchester Hampshire SO21 1AR Email: info@thehpfa.org Phone: 01962 779334 Registered Charity No. 302005

The Calshot Weekend
For many years now HPFA has helped fund a multi-activity weekend at the Calshot Activity Centre for disadvantaged and disabled youngsters. This year’s trip took place over the first weekend in July and 14 youngsters along with a similar number of carers and HPFA staff. The weather gods smiled on us and we were fortunate not to have to curtail any of the outdoor activities due to weather. The Friday evening was spent settling in and getting to know each other over a particularly energetic game of dodge-ball and later more sedate games of table-tennis and badminton. Saturday morning was Water Sports morning and those who were able to spent the morning in individual Kayaks, while the rest of us (mostly the adults I noticed) floated around rather more sedately in rafted canoes. I was pleased to see that everybody was able to get onto the water at some point and I must thank the staff at Calshot for their ingenuity in ensuring this was both a safe and fun experience for all – especially the seaweed fight! After a hearty lunch the rest of the day was spent on the indoor ski-slope and on the climbing walls. Again everybody was involved and all were determined to get to the top of the climbing wall, despite the odd grazed knee and the rather undignified harnesses which seemed determined to give the wearers a “wedgy” no matter how
much it was adjusted.

Sunday morning alternated between abseiling and archery and I was again amazed at how determined people were to get to the top or hit the bull. The afternoon was split between cycling on the indoor track or taking a boat trip along the Solent on the “Naiad” a converted trawler owned by Calshot Activity Centre. I gather the highlight of the boat trip was the chance to go ashore at Hamble and purchase Ice Cream. Sadly all too soon it was time for the prize-giving and to say goodbye and head home.

There are so many people to thank for making this weekend such a successful event, but here goes:
Malcolm Miles for giving up so much of his time to help me in the planning of the weekend and for spending time with us over the weekend. Stuart Nundy, Outdoor Activity Officer for Hampshire County Council for a very generous grant which enabled HPFA to keep the cost of participating at the same level as last year. All the staff at Calshot for their enthusiasm and versatility which ensured full participation in every activity for our entire group, despite our mixed ability levels. Kaz White, Recreational Activities Inclusion Officer (Disabled Children & Young People) for Hampshire County Council. Kaz gave up a Saturday to come and help us with the water sports and climbing sections of the programme and added hugely to the enjoyment of all participants – Thanks Kaz – same again next year?

And finally all the carers who accompanied the youngsters this year who all give up their weekend and actually pay to attend and assist. HPFA is extremely grateful to all of you and in particular Mrs. Bobbi Poll the leader of the “giggly girls” from Kings whose knowledge and common sense undoubtedly made the weekend such a success. Planning has already commenced for the trip in 2010 and I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible again.