NEWSLETTER  •  WINTER 2020

Angus's News

We are all looking forward to welcoming in the start of another HopScotch programme here at Ardvullin. There has been lots happening over the winter, with all health and safety tests, decorating, spring cleaning and storm clear ups completed.

For those of you who have visited Ardvullin previously, there will be some big changes to see. The rear garden area has been transformed ready for the Activity Centre building work very soon.

There are lots of exciting times ahead for all the children who will be experiencing a HopScotch break this year - trips to the mountains, high wire adventures, swimming in the sea lochs, horse trekking, biking, climbing, Segway trips, speed boat tours and a whole lot more. We can't wait!

Angus
Project Worker

Case Study

Children need a HopScotch break for lots of reasons, and for many a HopScotch break is a vital respite from difficult home environments. Over the next couple of newsletters we are going to share some of the stories of children who have benefitted from one of our respite breaks. Here is Sophie's story:

Sophie is from a single parent home. Her mum struggles with addiction issues, so Sophie and her siblings have recently moved in with Dad.

Sophie was very unsure about coming on a HopScotch break, and initially even refused to go. She's very attached to her older sister, who was about to move to secondary school. However it was clear that a HopScotch break would help her to become more independent and confident as she prepared to be separated from her sister in her schooling.

When Sophie first arrived at Hopscotch's respite centre she was very quiet, but by the end of the week she had come out of her shell and was having an amazing time!

For Sophie, the break came at a perfect time, and she now knows she can enjoy herself independently of her big sister. This gave her a lot of confidence prior to the start of a new school term. She was openly much less worried about her big sister leaving primary school, and her dad is delighted. When Sophie initially didn't want to go on her HopScotch break her dad had reassured her, saying "trust me, you will have an amazing time". At the end of her holiday, Sophie said her dad was right!

Funding News

Thank you to the Bank of Scotland Foundation and TNL Community Fund, who covered transportation costs and our minibus driver's salary for our 2020 programme. We were also delighted to recently receive funding from Radio Forth's Cash For Kids to pay for activities for children from Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife.

Thank you to everyone who supports us in lots of different ways; as we gear up for our 2020 respite break programme we are very thankful for all the support we receive which helps us to make it happen.

And Finally...

What better way to finish our newsletter than with a reminder of what HopScotch is all about! Take a look at our 20th anniversary short film for a joyous little peek at what we do.