Each year PIP organises and supports disabled adults from London to attend a residential holiday on a farm for five memorable and action-packed days. Students work on the farm, taking care of and interacting with animals, participating in new activities such as apple picking, woodland exploration, cooking, and visiting local attractions. Many of our students have never been away from home, or out of London before. A holiday enables disabled people to take part in new and challenging experiences.
Many adults with learning disabilities and autism have never been on a holiday, or out of their community overnight. They are socially isolated and lack the financial resources & support to arrange something of their own. As a result, adults with learning disabilities don't interact with their communities, and don't have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way. This makes them less visible to the community, and new opportunities more difficult to find.
A residential holiday in an unknown setting enables adults with learning disabilities to take part in new and challenging experiences.Getting out of the city is often a completely new and unknown experience, and activities are designed to increase independent living skills, broaden their life experiences, encourage development and a more creative and open approach to life. Meeting new friends is central to the experience, and the farm becomes a focal point for emotional and social development.
Adults with learning disabilities and autism learn and develop vital new independent living skills such as cooking, cleaning and housekeeping. Taking part in new experiences also increases confidence and self-esteem. The personal relationships developed while on the farm are central to the disabled person's confidence to integrate within their communities upon return, and enable them to seek voluntary placements, work placements and employment.
