Following the six-week Summer Holidays, one mum has praised Inspire’s holiday clubs for helping her son Rhys.
Speaking to Inspire, Karen explained that her son has come from a difficult background, and can struggle with regulating his emotions.
“We had an experience where Rhys was struggling with his feelings, and there was one camp where Rhys lost it,” she said. “He didn’t show himself in his best light, the red mist had descended and he was just really struggling to regulate.
“We got to the point where I wasn’t sure if he’d be able to come again, I got the feeling it was too much. I rang and I spoke to staff, and everybody listened. Mo [Alshammam Project Co-ordinator] took it on board and made changes, there was a space for children who were struggling with the noise, and a greater awareness of what would help.”
She continued: “It really helped Rhys, and after that horrible event we went back and he had the most amazing week. He now asks to go back.
“It just showed that if you give a child what they need, not what they want but what they need, you can really make a difference to them.”
Karen added that she first enrolled Rhys in the summer holiday clubs so he could stay active when he wasn’t at school.
“He did football camp for two weeks, and for me, sport helps so much,” she continued.
“If you’re going to be part of a team, you have to learn how to get a long with people, you’ve got to be able to accept failure from them and yourself, you’ve got to be resilient, there’s so much you need to get from it.
“Being at the holiday camp has been really, really good for him.”
“I would definitely encourage people to come to an Inspire holiday club,” Karen added.
“They have so many activities they can do, it’s engaging, the coaches are great. And if you have any worries about your child fitting it, then ring and talk.
“Rhys has a friend who has autism, he wanted to go but his mum was reluctant, but she rang up and had a chat about his autism and what he needed and he had a really good time at camp. People listen and they understand.”
To book now for holiday club in the October half term, visit here.
