Diocese of Winchester

The Family Holiday run by supporters in Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Winchester lasts for a week each summer as a house party on the coast of the Isle of Wight. It is our biggest practical project supporting families, and each year makes a huge difference to people’s lives.

What is the family holiday?

• A family beach holiday;
• A week of fun and activities for all ages;
• A time for relaxation and refreshment.

Who is the family holiday for?

• A family who needs a break from their current situation, including lone parents, low income families, grandparent-led families, those who have recently been bereaved – any sort of family unit you care to think of;
• A family who otherwise couldn’t afford a holiday;
• Anyone who will enjoy being part of house-party style holiday.

What do the Mothers’ Union provide on the Family Holiday?

• A friendly and supportive team to look after the guests;
• Activity groups for the children;
• Beach activities;
• An outing;
• Some evening baby sitting;
• Evening entertainment for all;
• A fancy dress disco.

The house party is hosted at a YMCA facility near Shanklin which provides

• Easy access to a sandy beach;
• Full board for approximately 100 people;
• Facilities including a games room, lounges, chapel, pay phone and laundry;
• Cots and high chairs on request;
• Vegetarian and special diet meals if notified beforehand.

The cost of sharing in the Family Holiday in 2010, which includes full board, VAT, many activities and one outing is £230/adult, £203/child aged 2-17 years, and £55/child under 2 years and not requiring meals.

Although many team members and some guests pay their way, a lot of the costs are borne by Mothers’ Union members raising funds to support families from their local communities. Mothers’ Union members also help local families through the application process and continue support enabling access to local provisions after the holiday is over.

If you think you know of a family who could benefit from the Mothers’ Union Family Holiday, and they live in the area covered by the mainland parts of the Diocese of Winchester (North Hampshire down to Southampton and stretching West into parts of Bournemouth), please

• Contact us in confidence to obtain the relevant application forms;
• Identify through us, or your local Anglican church, a Mothers’ Union group and contact who will help the family complete the application form, raise money and possibly keep in touch after the holiday;
• If possible, make a donation to, or arrange a fund-raising event for our Family Holiday fund;
• Pray for the family, and ask others to do the same.

Later this year we hope to make available some further guidance which will help families through the application and referral process, so please watch this space!

If you think you have what it takes to be a team member, are willing to share whatever talents you have for the benefit of others, and have a Christian faith, you can also get in touch with us. Team members have to be over 18 and be willing to undertake a full Criminal Records Bureau enhanced disclosure.

Family Holiday Prayer

Lord, we thank and praise you for your blessing on the Family Holiday year by year. We ask that all those involved in the running of the holiday may be able to discern your will, and that the guests may enjoy the rest, support and fun provided, as well as your blessing in their lives. In Jesus’ name we ask, Amen.

If you have a church or group who would like to hear more about the Mothers’ Union Family Holiday and how it changes lives, please contact us, and one of our Commissioned Speakers would be delighted to visit you.