NEWSLETTER  •  SPRING 2022

Angus's News

 Hello all, 

We are up and running again here at Ardvullin for the 2022 Hopscotch Respite season and it is great to have full groups back again. Ardvullin is buzzing! 

Lots to look forward to for all the children visiting us this year with our new activity centre. The scramble wall is open for all, and we have many new activities added for everyone to enjoy alongside our regular trips making adventures in the Highlands.  (You can read more about our activity centre later in this newsletter too!)

We have already been out and about on the Segways, playing in the snow at the top of the Gondola and some children have been in the water at Sallachan beach, they were feeling brave! Anyone else up for a splash around in the sea?  

We have been out for the first time on Fort William SeaTours speedboat with Edinburgh Young Carers crew. The trips involved racing the Jacobite Steam train down Locheil and visiting the Seal Colony near the Corran Ferry on Loch Linnhe. So much fun!  

A big well done to the Children from Spartans Community Academy who have been out exploring the Loch on sea kayaks. A first for everyone involved, what a day for it! 

On a personal note I want to take the opportunity to let you know that I will be finishing working as Project Worker here at Ardvullin at the end of June. I wanted to wish everyone all the best for the future and say a huge thank you to all those I have worked with over the years here at Ardvullin…what a place, its been a blast! 

Funding News

Fundraising for HopScotch can happen in all kinds of ways. We were so impressed by Katie, Clara, Chloe and Emmeline - four inspirational young girls who first heard about HopScotch through YPI Scotland. They decided to undertake the 7 Hills Challenge around Edinburgh to see if they could raise £250 for HopScotch. Not only did they complete the challenge, but they also smashed their fundraising target and have raised an amazing £905. This incredible achievement will support so many children and young people on their HopScotch breaks this year, giving them memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you so much to each of them for their brilliant work, and to all who donated.

We are always excited to hear from anyone who wishes to fundraise for HopScotch, and every penny you give helps us to continue to offer respite breaks to children and young people around Scotland who would not otherwise have that opportunity. Do just get in touch by pinging us an email or giving us a call.

We have also recently made it possible for you to make a direct donation via text. Text HAPPY to 70560 to donate £10. Texts will cost the donation amount (£10) plus one standard network rate message, and you will be opting in to hearing more from us. If you would like to donate but don't wish to hear more from us, please text HAPPYNOINFO instead. 

You can also donate using the QR code in the image above, which will take you to our Justgiving page, or alternatively click on the link here to make a donation of any amount. Either choose from the amounts displayed or type your own chosen amount into the box. 

Once again, thank you to all for your support and generous giving. You are making such a difference.

Activity Centre News

It has taken a while but we are so grateful that we now have our much-anticipated activity centre up and running! The centre has a beautiful new scramble wall, and we will also offer yoga and games there for a day each week. With lots of space for team games, badminton, basketball, play on balance boards, and room to chill on comfortable bean bags, there will be lots of opportunities for every child to find something new to do whilst they are at Ardvullin. The additional space and opportunities provided by the activity centre will enrich the experience of every child and young person who visits us, enabling us to offer more on-site experiences and to extend the age range of our groups slightly as well. 

...And Finally

We are so sad that Angus will be leaving HopScotch this summer; he has been such a wonderful Project Worker and we know he will be missed by all the groups who have felt so welcomed and encouraged by him. However, we are thrilled that Anna is returning to HopScotch to as Activity Leader. Anna is working alongside Angus this month until he leaves later in June, which is a wonderful bonus for all the groups who will get to enjoy both of them! We know you will all join us in wishing Angus all the best in his new adventures, and also in welcoming Anna to HopScotch once again.