by Liam Dutnall, Registered Manager
It all started when Hannah May became interested in two things: taking a plane trip and eating chicken curry for breakfast.
Hannah May is a young person who lives at Woodland View, our children’s home in St Albans. She is fascinated by flying, often asking staff “go on a plane?”
I really wanted to help make a holiday happen for Hannah May, so I started talking through ideas with her parents. Together, we decided that a short trip to the Costa del Sol would be a good fit for everyone. We found a lovely destination with a pool and spa, where the group could relax and enjoy a week away.
The next step was making sure Hannah May had the right support to enjoy the trip. Support Workers Ciara and Ria, who know Hannah May well, volunteered to go along without hesitation.
You might think, “Well, of course they did, they were getting a free holiday!” But that would underestimate the responsibility involved. Supporting a young person for a week in an unfamiliar place is very different from supporting them during a normal shift. It means being there around the clock, while helping them navigate new experiences, unfamiliar surroundings and any challenges that arise along the way.
Hannah May got more excited as the holiday came closer, especially when she discovered from the booking details that she could eat chicken curry on the plane! With everything arranged, the special day finally arrived. The holiday group travelled to Stansted and, from there, Hannah May set off towards her dream holiday.
She had an amazing time, and we’re already starting to think about what the next opportunity might be.
The holiday made a real difference to Hannah May’s parents too. They told us:
A massive shout-out to the Woodland View team for turning what could have been a chaotic family holiday into an actual vacation. Let’s be honest: travelling with kids, especially those with complex needs, usually means packing your stress and taking it to a different location, but having support workers Ciara and Ria with us completely changed the game.
Thanks to them, we got to enjoy genuine quality family time and make unforgettable memories with Hannah May. We even unlocked our highest achievement of the year: fulfilling Hannah May's dream of eating chicken curry for breakfast on the aeroplane and swimming under the sun. Even though that swim only lasted 20 minutes out of a six-day trip, it was an absolute triumph made possible by the incredible dedication of Woodland View.
While the whole team has been completely amazing, a special thank you goes to Liam for organizing everything behind the scenes, and to Ciara and Ria for their tireless care, boundless energy, and for stepping up so brilliantly during some challenging moments. A special thank you also to Jackie and Steve for getting us all to and from Stansted.
Thank you from all our family.
