Here are a few of the comments some of the women and children made on their return.
Me and my daughter had so much fun, she loves the water she wanted to stay longer.
For me it was a very fun experience. N**** really enjoyed seeing such a big place with so many things to see. Even though the water was a little far away, we enjoyed a nice moment between mother and children and everything was really cool. The staff was always with us and the trip on the bus, for me, was smooth. I hope we can do more trips like this, and more tours to enjoy with our children. Thank you for this experience.
The children loved the Pier, they went on all the rides and loved being in the arcade.
Warwickshire Freemasons Provide Beach Trip to Birmingham & Solihull Women's Refuge
Today it is difficult to believe that some children have never had the opportunity to go to the seaside and enjoy all the things that trip can bring. Things that most of us take for granted. The fresh sea air, the sandy beach, the sea and the sand between your toes. Maybe a ride along that beach on a donkey and enjoy an ice cream the funfair and even the coach ride there and back.
So, when Warwickshire’s Freemasons heard that some of the Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Refuges needed some help to make it possible, they immediately stepped up and made it happen with a £1,000 donation.
Most of these women and children are sheltering from domestic abuse. There day to day lives are a far cry from such small pleasures. Arrangements were made, coaches arrived and off they all went to a sunny Weston-Super-Mare.
Those who work and support these refuges organised the day and ensured that everyone had a great day.
Due to the highly generous funding provided by Provincial Grand Lodge Warwickshire, we were able to provide a day trip out to Weston-Super-Mare beach for our women and children residing in our refuges.
The women and children were so excited for this trip as soon as they found out that it would be part of our summer playscheme.
Unfortunately, the weather was not looking too good in the morning when we set off but we had hope!
Once we arrived, the women and children went off to enjoy themselves and this included playing in the sand, enjoying some hearty fish and chips and playing games on the pier.
Weston-super-mare is known for their water being hard to reach and some of our families wanted to explore and make it a mission to reach some of the water. We had one family who were able to go out and see some puddles of water, the child fed back as having ‘too much fun’!
For those of our service users who had never been to a beach before, it was a great first experience and all in all a lovely day out for everyone. Thank you to the Grand Lodge for allowing this positive, unique experience to happen for our women and children.