The intention of iSawTheSea.com is to help a broad range of people : Under privileged and neglected children. Those living in poverty for whom a holiday, even a short break is just a dream. Children and adults with long term and critical illness. Those with disabilities. Carers who need a break from family duties - quite simply anyone who deserves a break.
Nobody could argue that helping very sick children and the disabled to get a deserved break is not a worthy ambition. However, one in three families in the UK cannot afford a one week break away from home and one in five cannot even afford a day trip.
Why is this important?
Holidays help to make stronger, healthier, happier families, which in turn contribute to a healthier, happier, caring society that benefits everyone.
But some seven million people in the UK are excluded from breaks through lack of money. And over 1.5 million families cannot even afford a day trip.
A recent study by UNICEF placed the UK at the bottom of a league table for child well-being across 21 industrialised countries. The study used a variety of indicators including poverty, peer and family relationships and health. Lack of access to a holiday is one measure of poverty. Both the
Department of Work and Pensions and the Government's Social Exclusion Unit use the lack of a one-week break as an indicator of poverty.
Many believe that a break away from home:
• improves well-being and reduces stress
• increases self-esteem and confidence
• strengthens family communication and bonding
• widens perspectives, provides new skills and enhances employability
• gives long lasting memories
• results in happier, stronger people and a more inclusive society.
A number of organisations have recognised the importance of holidays for personal and family well being and are taking initiatives to persuade the government to do more to help. Over the coming months we intend to work more closely with organisations such as The Family Fund and The Family Holiday Association to help pay for the holidays and breaks they provide.
Here is just a flavour of the results of the work of The Family Holiday Association taken from the http://www.fhaonline.org.uk website.
Click here and on the links below if you would like to find out more about their work.
"We had a lovely week, most of all we were able to play together away from home."
Mother, four children, and grandfather, Rotherham
The parents are separated, and the family survives on benefits. The children have health and behavioural problems; one son has asthma and has been hospitalised on various occasions.
The Family Holiday Association helped this family to have a week's
holiday in Great Yarmouth.
Parents and two children, Glenrothes
The father has spondyloarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. He experiences considerable pain and has to attend hospital frequently. His condition places the family under considerable stress.
The Family Holiday Association enabled the family to have a week's
holiday at the Blue Dolphin Resort
"The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves and they seemed to be more content because there was loads of activities...the week away made us more relaxed...everything about the holiday was great."
Grandparents and two teenage boys, Rotherham
The boys' parents separated and they are in the custody of their grandparents. They have a sister, who lives with the father.
The grandparents are in poor health, and a holiday was essential. The grandparents were reluctant to take the money offered, in case of causing family problems.
The Family Holiday Association helped to provide this family with a holiday.
"Thank you for giving my family the chance...we are all very grateful for a marvellous holiday...came home more relaxed and more able to cope with stress...all in all we had a holiday to remember."
Parents and four children, Sheffield
This family is isolated and under enormous pressure. The eldest child has recently been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. The family feels unsupported and had no chance of a holiday without external help.
The Family Holiday Association helped to provide a week at Butlins, Skegness
"It was a break to get away from everything, no stress and lots of relaxing...swimming pool was a definite hit."
For further information and to discover more about the benefits of a break please contact:
Breaks for All c/oFamilyHolidayAssociation
16 Mortimer Street,
London W1T 3JL Telephone: 020 7436 3304
Fax: 020 7323 7299 www.fhaonline.org.uk/
Registered charity number 800262
YHA (England & Wales)
Trevelyan House,
Dimple Road, Matlock,
Derbyshire DE4 3YH
www.yha.org.uk
UNISON Welfare
1 Mabledon Place,
London WC1H 9AJ
www.unison.co.uk
Mother and three children, Ramsgate
For the last two years the family has suffered serious disruption and the children have had to go into care for short periods. The mother has a serious health condition.
The Family Holiday Association helped this family to have a week's
holiday in Clacton.