“I care for my mum. I care for my family. As you know, my brother has been very ill, so I have been caring for him. And my dad has diabetes, so I’ve helped with that too. I’ve helped my family loads.”

Holly (ten) was four years old when her brother was diagnosed with Leukaemia, and she did what she could to support him and her parents from such a young age. She has been on three Respite Breaks with us, and she has regularly attended online workshops during lockdown. Holly absolutely adores Honeypot and can’t wait to be back on site again.

One of our Children’s Residential Support Workers spoke to her on the phone ahead of her next break, and we summarised the phone call below.

Tell us about your last break with us

The last Honeypot break... that feels like a long time ago. Like over a year! I remember I did some dressing up. There was this girl who was really shy, I think she was a bit embarrassed, and I remember I wore a dress I would probably not ever wear again, it was too big for me but I wore it just to make her feel comfortable. We also did bike riding, and I went on the go-karts. I loved them.

Have you been on many breaks before?

I don’t remember how many years I’ve been at Honeypot, but it’s quite a few. I can remember the first day of my first ever break. I made new friends which I love making, and made new memories, and I felt welcome there. Like I truly belong there.

Coming on a break makes me feel a lot happier about stuff, it helps me stop worrying. Because there’s no need to worry when you’re having too much fun.

What is it you like about Honeypot?

Honeypot is something that I love. I love the way it helps children. I felt jealous with my brother Luke because he got everything, everything. If you need some attention, you can go to Honeypot. Because my brother got the attention 24/7, and at Honeypot I got attention. It makes you feel warm and happy.

I like how Honeypot can give you support when sometimes you need it the most. When my brother was ill with cancer, I felt like he got everything. But Honeypot gives you this feeling that your brother or sister, or sick sibling, isn’t the only person who matters. It gives you a chance to be free, to stop worrying about things. I worry a lot and a break with Honeypot makes me feel like I belong to something bigger.

I worry a lot and a break with Honeypot makes me feel like I belong to something bigger. I really feel like I belong, and people take time to listen to me and understand what I am saying.

Are you excited about your next break with us?

I’m really excited to go back, because I just love it. You feel more connected to Honeypot when you’re at the Honeypot House. With Zoom, you still feel apart, but when it’s face-to-face, it’s lovely. With Zoom, you don’t really get to talk to anyone because you’re learning new stuff. The only way you can talk there was on the chat, but that was still fun.

Do you have any dreams or hopes for the future?

I don’t know if I have any big hopes or dreams for the future. I haven’t really thought about that. So I don’t know what I want to do when I’m older.

I’ve wanted to be teacher, a Royal Navy sick bay nurse, I’ve wanted to be a fashion designer, a lot of things…the list can go on and on and on. I just love wearing dresses and trying to make them. I have a sewing kit, my dad is helping me sew.

And if you had a superpower?

If I had a superpower, it would be to make people feel like they belong where they are. And that they are accepted and they do belong.

Can you describe Honeypot in three words?

If I would describe Honeypot in three words it’s amazing, supportive and lovely.

Honeypot is giving joy and loads of memories to remember. I’ve done stuff at Honeypot that I never even thought I would like. Like dancing 24/7 and being in dresses that were a bit too long, but that’s fine.

All the people from Honeypot are really kind. They’re amazing. And I love the way they can really help you out when you need them.

How has Honeypot helped you?

When I was younger, I was shy to make new friends, so I just stayed alone. But now Honeypot has made me more confident in making new friends so… I’m glad Honeypot happened.

I hope that Honeypot can still make children like me happy and give other children the courage and happiness that they really do need. I hope Honeypot stays alive.

“Coming on a break makes me feel a lot happier”