All the children have enjoyed a great Easter break and we have been scaring ourselves on the high ropes course at ‘Go Ape’, challenging ourselves mountain biking at Bedgebury forest and enjoying the thrills at Thorpe Park.

In the last two months we have completed our ‘international food night’ and have sampled Jamaican and Lebanese cuisines so far. The children have been excellent in helping prepare these and have completed quizzes on each cuisine, with prizes being won by all.

After two years at Sandilands one of our young people has successfully returned to her family in China. In this time the stable, safe and nurturing and therapeutic environment at Sandilands has allowed this young person to excel with her academic achievements and emotional development.

The homes staff and children will miss her greatly but wish her the best for the future.

We have been glad to receive visits from our previous children and to hear how well they have been doing and the positive mentoring they provide to the children on their visits.

Christian Palfrey, Team Manager – Hillcrest Sandilands

The Go Ape Challenge!

Easter 2012 and the Norfolk locals had to lock up their most treasured possessions as the Southcombe Pirates left Steps for a week on the Broads Cruisers!

After a quick lesson for those new to the boats and a refresher for the old sea dogs (Broads veterans from 2009), the convoy snaked its way to Barton Broad for its first mooring and sleep on a boat.

Tuesday afternoon took the pirates to Wroxham (where Roy seems to own the whole town) and off to the barns to show their softer side by bottle feeding some lambs.

Wednesday was a wet and bitterly cold day, providing the perfect opportunity to find those sea legs and for the children to practise their driving skills.

With a maximum speed of 5 knots it was more like the ‘slow and the curious’ than the ‘Fast and the Furious’, although the Robinson brothers clearly thought it was a Red Bull event.

Thursday welcomed a return of the sun and a chance to shake off the cabin fever with a trip into Great Yarmouth. After a quick ride on the donkeys and a tour of seaside shops (clearing out the supplies of sticks of rock), it was down to the serious business of crazy golf.

The 18 hole pirate course was both challenging and fun, but Steve managed to retain his title. There was still time for the thrill seekers to feel the adrenalin at the fun fair finishing with a Steps battle on the dodgems.

Friday morning and the locals could relax again as we moored for the final time with no damaged boats or bones and a treasure chest overflowing with happy memories.

Steve Dumbrill; Team Manager, Hillcrest Steps

Mooring at Wroxham

The Three Amigos

On Friday 13th April we took our young people to the Wye Valley canoe centre near Hay on Wye.  After getting kitted up and having our safety briefing we took to the water where we practised out turns. Then off we paddled!

We joined all the boats together (rafting up) and in turn the girls tried standing up and moving from one boat to the next, standing only on the edges (gunnel walking). Some of the girls were nervous at first, however, they soon built up the confidence to do it.

Time to stop for lunch and a chance to teach the girls how to skim stones on the river. They seemed to enjoy this a lot!

For the next excercise we held onto each other’s boats and worked as a team going down the river together.  Most of us were lucky and managed to stay in our boats but  a few ended up overboard! (it was Friday the 13th after all).

Once back at the centre we all warmed up and headed out for a well deserved dinner.  A thoroughly enjoyable day was had by all!

Jem Berry, Oathill Lodge

Safe on dry land!

Skimming stones

On Sunday 25th March all the children and staff at Hillcrest Steps joined thousands of other people across the country and ran a mile for Sport Relief.

This is the third year we have taken part and two of our youngsters completed 3 miles.

The stories of hardship of children from around the world really affect our young people and they were very motivated to raise as much money as possible, so they were delighted to have raised £230.

Thank you to everyone who sponsored our young people, we are very proud of them.

Sadie Dangerfield, Home Manager

Sport Relief Fun Run

Charlie Longsdon has established himself as one of the most successful and respected race horse trainers in the UK, with winner ‘Paintball’ at Cheltenham and his first runner in the Grand National.

In the last year their stables have produced 44 winners from 233 runners and are going from strength to strength.

This environment is where Barton’s resident, Theo, has earned a job.

Working with the horses in the stables; cleaning, feeding and training them as well as galloping and hurtling across the Oxfordshire countryside!

Theo developed an interest in horses, which he hopes to turn into a career, when he first went on work experience aged 14. Theo has since undertaken equine studies at college, passing level 1, with level 2 to be completed shortly.
There have been opportunities to lead out horses at the Cheltenham festival (Which was recorded on the house and played back many times!) and Uttoxeter, among others. All of which have been excellent experiences for Theo.

Charlie’s team pride themselves on happy, healthy horses. Theo has benefitted from being part of this close knit team, learning many new skills.
Whilst Theo’s main work is at Charlie’s he also regularly volunteers at other yards to gain experience and work with the animals he loves.

Theo also believes that his work with horses has given him inspiration and drive to achieve a career in his chosen vocation.

Alex Dodd,  The Bartons

Following the Mayor’s visit to our new service; Hillcrest Beachlands the boys have settled in very well and are really enjoying being on the island.

They have made a real effort to make the house look nice and have made their rooms look really cozy. We are doing lots of joint activities with Hayling and Poppy Lodge and the boys are enjoying being so close to each other.

Forthcoming events that the boys are looking forward to include an inter – house football match and Go Kart Racing as well as a game of outdoor laser quest.

James Barlow, Home Manager

Hayling Island beach

On Wednesday 15th February we wished a fond farewell to one of our young people.

Jemma is not leaving Hillcrest completely, she has moved to Hillcrest Oathill Lodge.

As Jemma has been such a pleasure to look after we decided to send her off in style. The arrival of the Hummer caused a bit of a stir with all of our residents.

They all enjoyed a tour of Chipping Norton, “rock star style”, before we all waved Jemma off.

We all wish her well in her next chapter at Oathill Lodge.
Sadie Dangerfield, Home Manager

Stylish send off!

At Hillcrest Hayling Island, we have had an action packed start to the Spring term.

The students have been working hard in English inspired by Michael Morpurgo’s WarHorse. The students read the book before a trip to the cinema to watch the film. They are now starting on the play!

A trip to an assault course saw the boys get really stuck in, students and staff working as a team. Although most were beaten by the rope swing and fell into the cold water!!!

Licence to Cook has seen the boys produce some tasty meals and yummy cakes which they have enjoyed cooking. They eat at lunch time, sharing and sitting round together with staff.

We have made some excellent progress in ASDAN, two students have almost completed their Silver and a year 6 student is set to achieve his Bronze. An amazing effort.

For Sport Relief students and staff are going to swim 66 lengths at Havant Leisure Centre 10-12pm on the 23rd March. You can sponsor us and wish us luck!!

Young people from Hillcrest Hayling left the Island for a day out in the big city!

We arrived at Victoria and headed towards the underground. First stop- Covent Garden. After a mighty climb up the 198 steps we reached the top and out onto the streets. We then took a gentle stroll towards the Square.

Our first encounter of the day were the impressive street performers; a very still golden man, a sliver viking and a man who managed to squeeze himself through a tennis racket then lay on a bed of rusty nails!

Our next stop was Leister Square and lunch in China Town, then onto Buckingham Palace. Unfortunately the Queen wasn’t home and missed the chance for afternoon tea with the children of Hillcrest Hayling!

The sun had started to set on our final stop -Big Ben; it was a pretty sight to see; dusk setting over the River Thames.

As part of the Peers in Schools programme- a government initiative, Baroness Estelle Morris of Yardley recently visited Hillcrest Oaklands College.

The initiative has been running now for over a year and is designed to give young people the opportunity to meet with and talk to people from the House of Lords.

The young people at Oaklands listened to Baroness Morris, who explained the role of the House of Lords,  then had the opportunity to ask questions about the parliamentary process and how it effects them.

The students were keen to learn about proposed changes in the education system, especially the increased school leaving age and how the parliamentary system can affect their lives beyond college.

They also asked questions about being in care and who makes decisions regarding taking children into care and about standards in care homes and in residential education.

Baroness Morris was presented with a bouquet of flowers and was very complimentary about the college and residential provision, as it is so different from the type of schools she normally visits as part of the scheme.

She thanked the staff for the exceptional work they do with the girls and the girls for making her feel so welcome and asking such relevant questions.

The visit will be followed up by the girls visiting parliament during the summer term.

Jo Morris- Principal, Hillcrest Oaklands College

Baroness Morris at Oaklands