About Over The Wall
Seriously ill children and young people frequently lack self-esteem as a result of long periods of isolating and painful treatment in hospitals. Large chunks of childhood are lost and the children are also often bullied at school.
When a child is being treated for a serious illness, the child’s whole family is put under stress. The child with the illness is naturally frightened and unsure of the future whilst the parents are desperately worried and confused. Often one parent gives up work to care for the child which commonly leads to financial difficulties.
The siblings of ill children commonly have their day-to-day life interrupted as a result of the extra attention and care that an ill child requires. This can evoke feelings of resentment in the siblings which in turn leads to guilt. Siblings of ill children find these emotions very difficult to deal with.
What we do:
We offer sick children and their siblings the chance to enjoy a week of fun activities. They can put their problems behind them by taking part in a variety of activities such as archery, kayaking, climbing and horse-riding. We also arrange less strenuous activities like drama games and arts and crafts. All the while the children are supported by Over The Wall staff, trained volunteers and a specialised medical team.
Camp is much more than a holiday or a break for the children; it gives them a chance to make friends, have fun, build confidence and meet new challenges. For many, it is also a chance to speak about their conditions with other children facing similar challenges; the children soon learn that they are not alone.
Laughter appears to be the best medicine in helping these children deal with a very difficult phase in their lives. Everywhere you go at camp you will hear laughter and singing. We hold anecdotal evidence from doctors that the children often respond more positively to their treatments once they have been to camp. Children leave camp with a greater confidence to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Our camps also give parents the time to go out for a meal together and share a bottle of wine without having to worry about who will drive if their child is suddenly taken ill.
“It would have been all too easy for you, and unfortunately typical of the norm, for you to have expressed some excuse for his temperature and condition, to give some apology about the rules not allowing it. Thankfully you can see through all of that and see the reality of what you are about. Please accept our heartfelt thanks and accept our adoration of your courage and will to take on the uncertain future. The world is a better place.”
Parent.
How we work:
Currently we serve children from all over the UK aged between 8 - 17 years old although we hope to raise the age to twenty in the near future. Our camps are held during the Easter and summer holidays in Perth, Dorset and the Midlands.
Unlike other camps or holidays provided by other charities, we do not deal solely with one type of illness. To date, we have taken children to our camps with illnesses from over 30 groups, including cancer, leukaemia, HIV and heart and renal failure. We also take children with conditions which have a profound effect on their lives such as severe burns and facial disfigurements.
“I have just finished a week of work experience today – I don’t think I could have done it without the confidence I gained at camp. By the way, I met someone with Spina Bifida at camp, I have never met anyone with the same thing as me before so it was really cool to talk to them about everything and it really made me feel as though I am not alone.”
Camper.
Over The Wall is managed by eight full time members of staff. They are supported by a fully trained team of volunteers who work with the children on a one to one ratio giving support and encouragement. We also have a volunteer medical team who run the ‘Med Shed’. This is the medical room where children go to receive medication and to sort out any bumps or bruises.
Our history
Over the Wall was established in 1999 and modelled on Paul Newman’s renowned Hole in The Wall Gang Camp in the USA. We are one of ten international members of the Association of Hole in the Wall Camps and consequently we benefit from the sharing of ideas, experiences and best practice. Over The Wall is also accredited with the American Camp Association which guarantees the quality of our facilities, our programmes and our staff.
In 1999 we took 35 seriously ill children to a local camp. In 2008 we aim to serve approximately 700 children and young people from all over the UK at camps in Dorset, Perth and the Midlands. Our growth is testament to the fact that Over The Wall provides an invaluable service to children affected by serious illnesses. We will continue to grow because we are driven by a desire to enhance the lives of these children.