.

120. 10.08.71 Report of Child Care Officer.

I called to let Philip know what he is to do when he arrives at Swansea station on Saturday 14th August.

As arranged in consultation with the London party, Philip is to wait just outside the station by the ticket collector where he will be met.

The mother said how much Philip is looking forward to the holiday and counting the days. She is most grateful to us for giving Philip the opportunity of a holiday and she gave me seven pounds, which she had saved up as a contribution towards the cost.

Philip came in with his grandmother just as I was leaving and so I was able to have a brief word with him.

I will send the seven pounds to the office.  

121. 23.08.71 Letter to Secretary from Office.

Swansea Holiday Project. I enclose the cheque for seven pounds in respect of contribution received from Philip’s mother in respect of his holiday in Swansea. Will you please send a receipt to The Child Care Officer who will pass it on to the mother.  

THE NCH REPORT ON THE HOLIDAY.  August 1971.

Twenty children whose ages ranged from 10 to 15 years, spent two weeks holiday at Killay House, Children’s Home, Swansea, from August 14th to 28th. The children were all either in NCH or Local Authority care under the Family Aid scheme.

Sister Stephanie Hall was in charge of the party at Swansea. The physical structure of Killay House in its beautiful grounds was ideal for the holiday plan.

Sister June was in charge of the branch at the time of arrival, and the welcome she and the staff gave the early holiday staff arrivals, and the hard work they put in making up beds and explaining the working order of the House, before turning out of the house into the pouring rain to a wet camp field, went a long way to make a successful start to the holiday. Those who normally lived at Killay House were sent away to live in a field for the two weeks that Killay House would be occupied.
The children came from a variety of backgrounds but their real need appeared to lie in the fact, that they required a holiday where they could relax away from family tensions, and, if possible, be given an opportunity to express some of the feelings brought about by such tensions.

All the staff were introduced to the children by name, explaining who they were, what they were doing prior to the holiday, and their ages. It was agreed that the staff could be called by their first names rather than their normal titles.

We explained that there were no fixed bed times, but the children could please themselves what time they went to bed, as long as it was before the staff. They would be told the night before what time breakfast would be, and if they did not wish to have breakfast they could remain in bed until the day's activities started. At first the children were very quiet about the house, but as they began to relax the house always seemed full of noisy chatter, and it must have been good for some of them to escape to their various rooms and places in the house and garden, where they could be on their own.

Towards the end of the holiday, settling down in bed became almost a ritual, when the children would ask that all the staff went to their rooms to tuck them up, kiss them good-night, and have a bedtime chat. These ‘chats’ were the times when the children shared with us their fears at night, such as the dark and bedwetting; also their feelings about the tensions in their family lives. The staff were sensitive to these times, and it was felt that a large part of the benefit of this holiday was achieved at these times.
At first, the staff who had had little experience of this kind of structure were themselves wary, looking for leadership and watching out for incidents or unruly behaviour. They were able to discuss these things in the evening gathering of staff, and the way they co-operated at every possible level was outstanding. The children formed holiday relationships with the staff and each other, and there was a great deal of emotion shown at parting from each other on August 28th.  

122. 07.09.71 Report of Child Care Officer.

I called on 6th September to see Philip and his mother, to hear about Philip’s holiday in Swansea.

Unfortunately Philip had started school that day and as I called early in the afternoon I was unable to see him.

The mother said that Philip had thoroughly enjoyed his holiday; he had been pleased that there were several boys of his own age there including one whom he had met at Dinas Powis the previous year. Philip had thought it was grand to be allowed to call Sister Stephanie, Steve and the other members of the staff by their Christian names. This arrangement had obviously made the atmosphere less formal. Philip had been delighted to be able to spend a good deal of time on the beach and swimming; altogether he thought the holiday had been a great success.

The mother again expressed her gratitude to us for giving Philip the holidays.

.

Continued Please click on link

http://www.philipastrangechild.com/page_1170550480562.html