AFIA
This is a special fund which is designed to provide holidays for families with particular need. We usually find that families enjoy a week at Butlins together, building memories and spending valuable time together.
Since the Covid epidemic we have found that less people are being referred to benefit from these holidays so we are now trying to widen the beneficiaries to other areas. All the church schools in the diocese now have the information that we are able to help schoolchildren whose families are unable to pay for school trips, and we have given a small amount to one school. So if you have good relations with any of your local schools, please do make sure they know of this availability.
We have also run trips for other groups. A group of Ukrainian refugees living in the Reading area went to Odds Farm in 2023, as well as another group of Ukrainians who went to GoApe in Wendover Woods. Both groups had great fun visiting somewhere different. Being able to talk to their peers about trips is really valuable in building friendships and making it easier for them to fit in.
Jean Vaughan
Action and Outreach Committee
