Reflections on retiring from outings reaching adulthood

It's always with a mix of sadness and pride as we watch our young people reach adulthood and move on to a new stage of life, after journeying with them throughout their childhoods. Two of our young adults who are now over 18 years old and have been with us since the age of 4 have reflected on their time with us over the years:

“My experience with our group has been excellent. For decades, helping my family with support during lockdown and excursions with my family and I feel that I have built a strong bond with them over the years through treasured outings I have been on.” -B

“I have been attending these trips for as long as I can remember. All the leaders have seen me grow and I have watched my friends grow. Friends that I’m sure I will keep in touch with even after these trips end. I have never attended a trip and felt sad or uncomfortable, I always had the best of fun. Both the leaders and other kids are all so welcoming and kind and have made my time here not one to forget . Thank you so much"-A.

We are touched by the impact we have made as a team (staff and volunteers) on the lives of our young adults and we hope and pray that they will be blessed in this new chapter of their lives.

We took a group of young people for a final outing in the summer, following completion of exams. We went go-karting, which has been a long requested outing, which made for a special way to mark the moving on. We have closed 19 young people mostly aged 18 years, with a few siblings 16yrs+ who want to end at the same time as siblings.

It feels the end of a huge season, having known many of these young people since primary school age and shared so many experiences, outings and residentials with them. We enjoy bumping into some of our previous leavers in the local community and hearing what they have gone on to achieve at university and with work.