“I got to do all the activities for the first time with my whole family.”
Short Breaks are organised by the Additional Needs and Disability Team of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. They are put on for serving families with children living with a range of additional needs and disabilities including autism, ADHD, Down Syndrome, speech disorders, and complex medical needs.
The first of the year was held last weekend (May 9-11, 2025) at Calvert Trust in the Lake District, one of two locations used for Short Breaks – the other is the Calvert Trust site on Exmoor. Both sites are adapted for use by anyone with visible or invisible disabilities
Ellen Chard, SSAFA’s Additional Needs and Disability Advisor, described it as a “wonderful weekend”, saying:
“So many children – and adults – accomplished things they have never done before and make wonderful connections with other families from across the tri-service. Across the weekend, and thanks to the glorious weather, families were able to enjoy canoeing, archery, high ropes, ziplining, horseriding, bushcraft and walks in the Lake District hills.”
Ellen added:
“The true measure of the success and value of the Short Breaks is so hard to quantify. It can take days, weeks, months even for those benefits to shine through, so we really listen to what the families tell us then and there, and later.”
One child who attended said:
“I got to do all the activities for the first time with my whole family. I met children just like me and made a new best friend.”
Their parent, who also has a disability, agreed adding:
“One of the most impactful aspects was the ability to fully engage in activities with my children—something I can no longer physically do in our usual environment due to my mobility challenges. Having access to adapted activities meant I could actively participate rather than just observe, which has strengthened our bond and created lasting memories.”
SSAFA has a group specifically for serving families with members living with additional needs. Called the Forces Additional Needs and Disability Forum (FANDF), it is always looking for new members.
Learn more about FANDF here.
