Impact for families using Juniors Caravan at Craig Tara Holiday Park

Mum, Dad and two children went to Ayr every year for their family holiday.  This year has been difficult as Dad was made redundant and family are struggling to make ends meet. The family had shared with us they wouldn’t be able to go away this year as they couldn’t afford the cost.  When we shared with the family, we had a caravan in Ayr and would be able to send the family away for a break, they were delighted.  Suddenly experiencing a period of low income had made the parents feel like they were failing, constantly having to tell their children they couldn’t do things anymore or couldn’t afford treats. Having a holiday helped the family gain a sense of normality and we re-assured them this situation was only temporary.  Dad has since secured full time employment, and their situation has improved.  Family now supports the charity by making food donations to our community larder and volunteering their time to help with events.

Blended family took the caravan for a week to introduce subsequent children to each other in a neutral environment.  Family had a great time, and children got on well with each other.  Family reported it was great having all the children together as it gave the children others to play with. They had been concerned about the first meeting, but the children got on so well that they look forward to spending more time together.

Mum, Dad (Stepdad) and three children.  Oldest child was adopted at birth by grandparents as Mum felt unable to cope on her own with a child. Mum met new partner and had two children with him. In this time, the situation broke down with the oldest child living with grandparents and mum was asked if she would take her daughter back.  Having had limited contact with her daughter, it was agreed a break away as a family may give them an insight into whether this was viable or not.  The older daughter has autism, and their second child is in the process of being diagnosed so the family were unsure if they could meet her daughter’s needs.  The holiday was a success and since returning, the family have been working closely with social services to have her with them permanently.  Being away gave them the opportunity to get to know each other, spend time as a family and identify what support they would need, while alleviating some of the fears the family initially had. Mum sees her daughter several times a week and communicates daily by telephone while they await a final decision on parental rights being transferred back to mum. Her partner also intends to file for adoption to become the daughter’s legal guardian.

Mum and two children.  Family here on temporary student visa while mum completed her medical training.  Just as she was about to sit her final exams for the British Medical Board, her husband died suddenly, leaving her a lone parent with no support network or access to funds. Mum has spent the last year overcoming her grief, supporting her young daughter as she underwent heart surgery, secured employment that allowed her to work from home and sat her final exams.  We felt a break was in order while mum awaits her exam results and offered the caravan to the family. When we first met mum, she felt her world had ended and couldn’t see how she could survive.  In the past year mum has shown an unbelievable resilience and strength to provide for her family while still realising her dreams. The break away became a celebration of not only surviving but thriving in the face of adversity. We have supported the family with necessities and emotional support to keep going.  Although mum has employment, it is low paid, and the family still struggle financially to meet all their bills.  However, the hope is this situation is only temporary as mum has the skills to lift her family out of poverty, and they can see a future now. Mum said on return ‘A day at the beach can wash away the cobwebs’.

Dad and son.  Dad has struggled with his mental health resulting in him unable to work and generally has his son at weekends.  He wouldn’t be able to afford a holiday under normal circumstances so being able to take his son away for five days has meant the world to both him and his son. Dad reported a lift in his mood, feeling ‘normal’ because they were able to enjoy playing at the beach and eating ice cream. He found himself laughing and enjoying the holiday, feelings he thought he wouldn’t feel again. This break has shown him there is light at the end of the tunnel and placed him on a path to seeking help for his recovery.

Gran always took her family, daughter and grandchildren away every year for a family break. Since Covid, gran has been unable to work, suffering from long covid.  She felt she was letting her family down as she didn’t want them to know she was struggling financially but couldn’t afford to book a break away, a break she desperately wanted. Pride was stopping her talking to her daughter about her situation.  We offered her the caravan and reassured her we wouldn’t share any of the details with her daughter if she wanted to give the impression, she had booked it as usual.  Gran agreed but on return told us she had a meaningful chat with her daughter about her situation and explained how they’d got the caravan. Her daughter has been supportive, and gran is glad she was able to open up.  She was worried her daughter would see her as failing them, but it couldn’t have been further from the truth.  Daughter was glad to have an opportunity to ‘pay her mum back’ for everything she has done for them as a family.