vital link
The Newsletter for Through the Roof
Love, Acceptance and Oneness –
Dalesdown 2017
By Miggs Clark, Volunteer
Giving Thanks
Bristol Beginnings
Get Celebrating!
A Different
Perspective
Several things hit me as soon as I arrived at
Dalesdown: the exquisite setting and peaceful
environment, the love and care from Margaret
and the team, and how deeply touched and
humbled I was by the families and their
beautiful children – those who were disabled
and their siblings. Quality and fun time
suddenly opened up for parents who day after
day devote themselves to their families with
love and selflessness. There were special times
for parents and pastoral support available at
all times. All this in an atmosphere of love,
acceptance and oneness.
I felt daunted by the huge responsibility of
loving and supporting these children in a way
that came anything close to the beauty of
relationship I was seeing all around me, but I
trusted that the Lord had brought me here to
serve and got stuck in.
A very experienced helper came alongside
me, such a blessing, and we worked together
to make a holiday for two lively and delightful
twin boys. Our physical activity levels soared!
Premier Lifeline, The
National Christian
Helpline (www.
premierlifeline.org.uk)
is available to all on
0300 111 0101, every
day from 9am until
midnight.
What an action-packed
few days!
Bouncy castle; a fire engine with a Dad gamely
getting soaked; country park and adventure
playgrounds; crafts, cookery, swimming; walks,
sports, worship and sharing; praise parties
with the amazing Act 4; the famous talent
show and food, food, food – we did the lot!
No: No:
60 Summer
69 SUMMER
2014 2017
Back home, I work for Premier
Lifeline, the National Christian
Helpline, which offers a listening ear
and Christian support. We have
connections with many organisations
including Through the Roof and the
other members of the Churches for
All network. A few months ago I was
casually looking through my email
inbox when I noticed a link from
TTR’s Bristol Disability Network.
There was a plea for help at an Easter
holiday near Horsham for autistic
children and their families.
As soon as I opened the link, the Holy Spirit
gave me a massive nudge and I was sure that I
should go. This certainty remained and the
dates worked for me, so with a great deal of
nervous anticipation I applied and readied
myself for helping at the holiday. I have had
experience of looking after older children with
Asperger syndrome in a mainstream school
setting, but this was something new.
Everything was beautifully organised, with all
the information anyone could possibly need
and a wonderful programme to look forward
to. This preparation formed a perfect
foundation.
The brilliance of Dalesdown is that as well as
giving a holiday to the children who have
additional needs, their siblings are also cared
for and able to relax and make new and
meaningful friendships with others who
understand. One of the siblings, Amy, said “I
love coming to Dalesdown because here Sam
is normal”. I was hugely impressed by the
Dalesdown experience, and grateful to God
for every moment!
If you’re interested in volunteering to help on
a holiday, please contact Margaret at the
office on [email protected] or
01372 749955. We’d love to hear from you,
and you could make a huge difference.
www.throughtheroof.org