We delivered our first ever SEAL break in Wales!
In 2019, we introduced a Social and Emotional Active Learning programme (SEAL) for young carers in Hampshire as part of our collaboration with Bank of America. Through successful fundraising, we have now been able to launch the programme in Wales too in cooperation with local schools.
SEAL has been designed to work with young carers who struggle in the usual school setting and have particular learning requirements. They really benefit from being part of a smaller group dynamic and dedicated professional support. The breaks incorporate a mixture of fun and educational elements which allow young carers to learn whilst interacting with other children with a shared experience.
“The programme has proven immensely successful with young carers loving the work with us, and teachers and parents reporting extremely positive developments and surprise outcomes for the children taking part.”
For our first break at Pen y Bryn, we invited a group of ten young carers. SEAL breaks tend to have a higher attendance from boys, while our traditional Respite Breaks often count more female young carers. Children were invited to join a number of activities all aiming to build their confidence and develop their social and communication skills, such as: role play and creative challenges, portrait painting, building animal parks, designing hedgehog houses, activities focusing on their senses in nearby Dolerw Park, compliment sharing exercises and “positive adjective pop art”, all of which received great feedback!
The team strategically plan a range of activities and games for the children to challenge them and boost their confidence. The most impactful activity that we provided on this break was undoubtedly animal handling, hosted by a professional wildlife speaker.
At least four children were petrified to the point of tears (one even locked himself in the toilet) at the sight of the animals, but within an hour, all ten children were all confidently handling tarantulas and pythons.
“The look of pride on their faces when they knew they had achieved something incredible- was awe-inspiring.”
“How old do you need to be to work at Honeypot?”
“I wish all our school lessons could be like they are at Honeypot.”
There were many highlights and lovely moments we experienced throughout the break. We had a couple of brothers (twins in fact…with eleven siblings!) who made particular progress with both of them learning how to ride a bike for the first time, and trying lots of new foods. They didn’t want to leave at the end!
“Staff had found him on a number of occasions during the week simply sitting watching the clock and when asked he replied, “I’m watching the clock so time stands still.””
One of the girls was extremely shy at the start of her stay, but had come out of her shell by the end and even began to assume a leadership position by helping to organise individual responsibilities during games. A teacher from her school who visited the group during their stay, stated that in the five years he had been at the school, the girl had never even made eye contact with him. As soon as he entered Honeypot House, she immediately began confidently telling him about all the things she had been up to!
We planned and executed this break in close collaboration with a local school. It proved hugely beneficial to have an opportunity to meet the children in advance and plan the programme around their specific needs and strengths. It has also given us the chance to lay much of the groundwork on expectations and rules that can be time-consuming and anti-climactic to deal with upon arrival.
The whole team are really pleased that we have been able to introduce our much-loved SEAL breaks to a whole host of young carers across the Pen y Bryn catchment area, and we are excited to see how our team can further develop the breaks going forward.
“Thank you for being so welcoming of not only the children but the staff too. This is by far the best residential venue and course we have been with the children. I can’t wait to bring more pupils here to experience the warmth and care shown by all the staff.”