Highfield Highreach Holidays celebrates ninth year of changing lives

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Highfield and Brookham School in Liphook has once again hosted Highreach Holidays, its annual volunteer-run residential holiday for children and young people with additional needs. Now in its ninth year, the initiative welcomed 23 children aged 8 to 18, giving them a week of new experiences while offering parents and carers valuable respite.

Part of the wider work of Green Frog Holidays, Highreach Holidays is run by a charity established to bring the successful model of specialist residential holidays for young people with additional needs to more schools across the country. Highfield and Brookham became home to the charity’s third holiday in 2018, and the programme has since become a much-loved part of the school calendar. Entirely volunteer-run, the holiday makes full use of the school’s 175-acre campus in the South Downs National Park, giving children access to outdoor spaces and facilities that many families might otherwise struggle to access.

Holidaymakers travelled from as close as Liphook to as far afield as Essex and beyond, with many returning to Highreach year after year. This summer marked a particularly poignant milestone for six of the young people who have now reached the age at which they can no longer return, some having been part of Highreach since its earliest years.

Each year, Highreach Holidays adopts a different theme, with this summer’s Rock and Pop adventure bringing music to the heart of the week. Children enjoyed an African drumming workshop, created their own rock star music videos and even took part in a wave rave in the school’s swimming pool.

The programme extended well beyond the theme. Holidaymakers also enjoyed trips to Hollycombe, Paultons Park and Littlehampton beach, as well as horse riding, sensory play and extreme art. Every activity is carefully planned to encourage confidence and give children the chance to try something new.

Behind every Highreach Holiday is a dedicated team of volunteers. Many of those volunteers have a long-standing connection with the school. This year, 20 former pupils were among the 60-strong volunteer team, which ranged in age from 17 to 60 and included 33 Helpers, six Group Leaders and 21 Senior Team members. Alongside the former pupils, the team also included nine current or former members of staff and four children of Highfield staff, reflecting the enduring connection so many people have with the school.

While welcoming new volunteers each year, Highreach has also retained an experienced core team. Twenty volunteers joined Highreach for the first time this year, while many others returned for their second, third and subsequent holidays. Among Highreach’s returning volunteers is Highfield and Brookham’s School owner Bill Mills, whose year-on-year involvement sees him step into the heart of the holiday and work alongside the wider volunteer team. Nine members of the Senior Team have volunteered at every Highreach Holiday since it began in 2018, helping to pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation of volunteers.

Supporting a holiday of this scale relies on more than the volunteer team alone. Highreach Holidays is made possible through year-round fundraising and the incredible support of pupils, parents, staff and the wider Highfield and Brookham community. It costs around £25,000 to run each year. Every volunteer gives their time freely, helping to make the holiday accessible to families and ensuring more children can enjoy a truly unforgettable week.

Mrs Suzannah Cryer, Head of Highfield and Brookham School, said: “Highreach Holidays is one of the most special weeks in our school calendar. It is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when a community comes together to support others.

“Seeing former Highfield pupils return as volunteers each year is incredibly special. They are giving their time because they know the difference Highreach makes to children and their families. Their commitment, alongside the dedication of every volunteer, creates an environment where every child is encouraged to have a go and simply enjoy being themselves.

“I would like to thank everyone who supports Highreach throughout the year. From those who help raise funds to those who volunteer their time, every contribution helps make this remarkable week possible.”