ABSTRACT

Among the estimated 800,000 children in the United Kingdom with disability, challenges include lack of access to leisureactivities, opportunities for independent development and social contact. Short breaks and residential trips (RTs) provide positive experiences, and help improve mental and physical wellbeing. However, evaluations involving young people (YP) with disabilities are lacking. We aimed to understand the value and outcomes of a RT, from the perspective of YP, their parents, and staff. YP with disabilities (N = 35) aged 12–17 years, attended outdooractivity based RTs in 2019 provided by Sparkle (South Wales) Ltd. A mixed methods approach was used for data collection; YP attended focus groups (N = 13), and parents (N = 21) and staff (N = 5) completed feedback questionnaires. The data was double coded and analysed thematically. In addition to enjoyment, interview data suggests the participants felt that the YP’s emotional and social wellbeing improved. There were reported improvements in confidence, increased incidences of social communication behaviour, resilience and self-care. RTs have the potential to make a significant impact on YP and their families, and their role is an important consideration in the context of local authority funding cuts, and barriers to accessing short breaks.

摘要

英国估计有 800,000 名残疾儿童，他们面临的挑战包括缺乏休闲活动、独立发展和社会接触的机会。短暂休息和住宿旅行 (RT) 可以提供积极的体验，并有助于改善身心健康。然而，缺乏对残疾年轻人（YP）的评估。我们的目的是从 YP、他们的父母和员工的角度了解 RT 的价值和成果。12-17 岁的残疾 YP（N = 35）参加了 Sparkle（南威尔士）有限公司于 2019 年提供的基于户外活动的 RT。数据收集采用了混合方法；YP 参加了焦点小组 (N = 13)，家长 (N = 21) 和工作人员 (N = 5) 完成了反馈问卷。数据经过双重编码并按主题进行分析。除了享受之外，访谈数据表明参与者还认为 YP 的情绪和社交福祉得到了改善。据报道，人们的信心有所改善，社交沟通行为、恢复力和自我保健的发生率有所增加。RT 有可能对 YP 及其家人产生重大影响，在地方当局资金削减和获得短暂休息的障碍的背景下，他们的作用是一个重要的考虑因素。