Four families have expressed how much they enjoyed a recent trip to Herm that was organised by the Set Sail Trust and sponsored by The Channel Islands Co-operative Society.
Nine children and their parents, who have all recently been affected by a family bereavement, were treated to a fun-filled activity weekend on the island. The families have all been supported by The Sunflower Project, which is run by Barndardo’s and staff from the project also attended the weekend.
In the morning Outdoor Guernsey took the group kayaking around the coastline and there was time for some beach football too.
No trip to Herm would be complete without lunch at the Mermaid Inn and after refuelling the families headed off to learn how to handle a bow and arrow. Teens and youngsters all enjoyed the archery and then it was back to the Mermaid for tea and cake.
‘It was all fun!’ reported one of the children.
‘Thank you for the things you organised today, I loved doing archery and would love to do it again. I really enjoyed it,’ said another.
The weekends are organised by Andrea Nightingale and the Set Sail Trust for families each year and are designed to meet different objectives. Previous Herm trips have helped children with special educational needs, or who need to build confidence or develop better behaviour patterns.
This is the fourth year that the Trust has laid on the weekends with Travel Trident and Outdoor Guernsey and the first time The Channel Islands Co-operative Society has got involved with sponsorship. ‘We are here to make a real difference to the communities we serve. That aspiration guides everything we do. We are proud to support this incredible cause and to play our part in providing enriching experiences for those who need it,’ said Colin MacLeod, Chief Executive Officer of The Channel Islands Co-operative Society.’
After an overnight stay in the picturesque Herm cottages the second day got underway with bacon sandwiches for breakfast and family beach games before the group headed back to Guernsey on the Trident.
The Channel Islands Co-operative Society also ensured everyone took home a bag with a hoodie and t-shirt.
‘On behalf of the Sunflower Project I would like to say a big thank you. The weekend was an amazing opportunity to give some bereaved families some time to relax and be with others who really understand. It was a privilege to take part and witness so much kindness and courage,’ said Denise Ozanne, Barnardo’s Project Worker.
The Sunflower Project, which is a Barnardo’s service based at the HUB, works with bereaved families in Guernsey and is just one of the local groups to work with the Set Sail Trust on these special weekends.
Charles Billson, co-trustee of the Set Sail Trust, commented: ‘One of our objectives is to “pump-prime” appropriate projects to bring them to fruition and to act as a conduit to bring parties together. We are grateful to The Channel Islands Co-operative Society, Outdoor Guernsey, Travel Trident and Herm Island for their collaboration in enabling us to achieve our aim and provide a tremendous experience for these families.’
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