Families enjoy a health and wellbeing camping trip as part of a partnership project

07/10/2024

Family holidays are not achievable for everyone, but quality time together making memories is valuable to everyone’s health and wellbeing, and thanks to a partnership project has been made possible for some families.

This summer saw the return of Camp@Castle Project, a free camping trip for families to attend supported by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board’s (BCUHB) Health Improvement Team, Homestart Wrexham and the National Trust’s Chirk and Erddig teams.

The project has been running since 2018, supported by the three organisations to create and support a three-day and two-night camping stay at Chirk Castle for families supported by Homestart Wrexham.

The camp is free for the families to attend and funded through money from the National Trust, as well as money raised by the teams, and generous donations from the public and local organisations.

One family who attended the camp, said: “Thank you all so much for camping, the children had the absolute best time, and it was so lovely to relax and enjoy ourselves away from day-to-day life. Such an incredible experience, we've made wonderful memories.”

The camp is situated in the Mindful Meadow at Chirk Castle, providing a beautiful setting for the families to enjoy a break from the norm. As it was the summer of play, there were fun activities to do in the castle and in the hay bale field, on top of having a campfire in the evening, water fights in the meadow, a guided tour of the castle and gardens, as well as general leisure time and some much-needed rest.

Robin Ranson, Senior Health Improvement Practitioner for the BCUHB Health Improvement Team, said: “This is my favourite project to be a part of for the team. The partners are incredible, and the staff and volunteers all deserve medals for their hard work and efforts in organising and supporting the camp.

“I am lucky enough to have been involved in every meeting and actual Camp@Castle since it commenced, and I already can’t wait for next summer. The hard work that goes on behind the scenes of camp itself is commendable, by the superstars working for the National Trust and Homestart Wrexham.

“The families were absolutely wonderful, with beaming smiles and gratitude during their whole time away. It’s always hard saying goodbye at the end of camp, but we are all excited to see them again soon through the different Health Improvement Programmes we run in the communities, schools and workplaces.”

Sue Jones, Volunteering and Community Involvement Manager, North East Wales, said: “The National Trust was established to ensure everyone can benefit from nature and history. For many reasons some can find it hard to access the beautiful spaces in our care, let alone enjoy a family break together. Camp at the Castle is the highlight of our year as we welcome some very deserving families to spend time in a place we all love, enjoying the benefits of the space, beauty, peace and quiet we all need at some point in our lives.”

Pam Hoyle, Director Home-Start Wrexham, said: “We are forever grateful to the collaborative team who work selflessly to create the magic. The National Trust had always been somewhere we have wanted to take our supported families. The experience of awe and wonder is something every child should have in their lives.”