We’ve been supporting commissioners and providers to gather feedback on learning disability short breaks, involving people with learning difficulties and complex needs and their families in rethinking short break services in their area. We asked Stand’s Gail Cobb to tell us about the trips she and the team organised for families to experience some different short breaks.
For Gail, one moment stands out vividly. It’s the radiant smile of a woman whose joy transformed a hesitant leap into a moment of pure magic.
Everyone watched as a participant with a learning disability and complex needs, was seated and hoisted high on the king swing ready for the ride. At first, Gail admits to holding her breath, wondering if the daring drop might be too much. Watching alongside, Mum shared that her daughter enjoyed being in a hoist at home, often swinging for fun. But neither of them had imagined she could take part in activities like this. As the swing dropped the rider’s smile lit up, it was clear this was a breakthrough. Her exhilaration showed that, sometimes, the limits we perceive are far smaller than the opportunities waiting beyond them.
These trips were about opening doors to new experiences and making short breaks stimulating as well as safe. Standing at the Calvert Kielder Centre deep in the Kielder Forest in Northumberland, one family said “If we could just move what we’ve got here to our area”. It was a powerful statement, reflecting a shift in what they imagined short breaks could be. This was about exploring what might be possible with the right support, training, and creativity.
Moments like that participant’s smile offer tangible proof that inclusive and imaginative experiences can redefine expectations. For Gail, another highlight came on a buggy ride through the serene expanse of Kielder Forest. With the participant hoisted into the adapted buggy in their moulded wheelchair seat and securely harnessed. Family members were delighted by how calm and engaged they remained during the whole ride. A simple ride in a buggy became a sensory experience that showed the potential impact stimulating short breaks can have.
Feedback from these trips is already being used to shape a vision for the future of short breaks in the area. Families want staff who don’t just know procedures but take time to understand the quirks, preferences, and personalities of those they support. The joy, connection, and unexpected discoveries these moments bring are impossible to quantify; their impact is undeniable.
“Go where the energy is” was the mantra Gail and the team embraced when recruiting families for this initiative. For those who are taking part, the energy is infectious, sparking new ideas and expectations for what could be achieved closer to home.
Sometimes, all it takes is a smile to remind us of what’s possible. An instant of unfiltered joy has become a beacon for a future where short breaks are stimulating, enjoyable and inspire families to dream bigger.
To see what other projects we have been involved in, take a look at our success stories.
Photo: Of course the team couldn’t just watch the king swing. Anna and Shaun were brave enough to have a go and share the joy!
