We would like to say a huge thank you to Freemasons from The Dartmouth Lodge for sponsoring this special trip. When our refuge team heard the great news that we had been granted funds to take all the women and children to the seaside, they swung into action. They called a house meeting to plan and discuss resorts that the women and children wanted to visit. There was an overwhelming vote to visit Blackpool.

What happened?

After a 2-hour coach journey, the families were at Blackpool Pleasure Beach! When they arrived, everyone had free time to go to the beach and visit the attractions of their choice. Everyone was given their own snacks, spending money, and a bucket and spade for the day.

As the staff walked along the promenade we met some of the families who decided to go to the beach. Here’s how our Accommodation Service Manager, Jane Denver, said it went:

“We stopped to speak with one of the clients and her child came running up to us shouting he had been swimming in the sea for the first time in his life and it was great!

We met some of the children who were waiting for rides on the donkeys and they were thrilled about getting on. They were able to pet the donkeys and told us their noses were ‘lovely and soft’. “

When the time came to return to the refuge, the women told staff how much they enjoyed the day and how it had allowed them to forget their worries and just relax with their children. The children have since made many drawings and paintings of the day, and after an activity-packed summer, they have lots to share when they return to school.