Whether your child attends a Respite Break, or a Health & Wellbeing Break, or takes part in one of our Memory Making Days, all of our services are designed to give children time away from their caring responsibilities and the chance to enjoy being a child and making positive memories.
Over the last 30 years, we have supported thousands of young carers, and other children, parents, and families, and have built strong relationships with referrers including local authorities, social work teams, schools, GPs, and other welfare organisations. These trusted partnerships help us ensure that children with the greatest need, are supported in the most appropriate and effective way.
“When my daughter is at Honeypot House, I know she is being well cared for and there is no judgement being made why she is there which is something she can feel in other environments. I never worry about her home situation being discussed or criticised.”
— Parent
Our programmes
We support young carers and other children (aged 5-12) through a combination of Respite Breaks, Health & Wellbeing Breaks and special Memory Making Days. These experiences give children time to rest, have fun, and step away from their everyday responsibilities, while also supporting their wellbeing and helping them build meaningful relationships with other young carers, and children, who share similar experiences. Each year, we are able to reach and support more than 3,000 children through our programmes.
Respite Breaks
Respite Breaks form the core of our work and are delivered across three sites: our Honeypot Hampshire in the New Forest, Honeypot Pen y Bryn in Powys and Honeypot Dalleagles in East Ayrshire. These breaks consist of two nights-three day stays and are designed specifically for young carers who could benefit from some time away in a safe and nurturing environment. We want to give them the opportunity to have some fun, worry-free time, play with peers and enjoy new activities and experiences in a safe and child-friendly environment.
All groups are hosted by an experienced and dedicated Children’s Services Leader and two Children’s Residential Support Workers. Our houses are each set within their own spacious grounds with beautiful views of the surrounding countryside and lots of room to run around.
Health & Wellbeing Breaks
Our dedicated Health & Wellbeing programme is designed to target specific learning needs and offer more personalised time in a group setting for children who struggle in larger groups at school. Children visit in groups of 12 for a four-day residential break, at one of our three sites, that includes outdoor challenges, team activities, and fun learning exercises.
We liaise with schools and teachers before each break to discuss specific challenges and learning needs for each individual child. As with our Respite Breaks, all groups are hosted by experienced staff.
“I love when my son comes home full of stories about his break and stories about the other children he has met who have similar childhoods to his own. ”
— Parent
What children love about our breaks
Many of the children we support don’t often get the chance to fully switch off and engage in fun activities without feeling guilty or worried. During our residential breaks, they are in a beautiful, homely environment close to nature, surrounded by peers and looked after by a professional team who does everything to help them create wonderful memories that they will have for their lifetime.
They can choose from a range of activities both inside and outdoors, there really is something for every child: trampolines, building dens, bike riding, exploring woodland, campfires, arts and crafts, playing with Honeypot pets, baking, model-making, group games… there really are activities for every taste.