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Early August in Oundle means one thing – the return of Oundle School Mencap Holidays!
Many readers will be well aware of OSMH and many may even have memories of volunteering during their time in the Sixth Form in Oundle.
Happily, we can once again report a fantastic week, despite the changeable weather, that was enjoyed by all, creating cherished memories for our 40 holiday- makers and nearly 60 volunteers alike.
The usual trips out to Barnwell Park, Twin Lakes, Wicksteed Park and Hunstanton were enjoyed, along with activities around Wyatt and Kirkeby Houses and Two Acre.
The team once again were able to unleash their creativity around a jungle theme, with a large number of activities, including yoga, tie-dyeing, team games, bear hunts and even a visit from an exotic animal show that included spiders, snakes and a giant rabbit, to make sure that the week was one full of fun.
Arts and crafts were at the forefront and each holidaymaker was delighted to present their friends and family with a diary and memory box at the end of the week, recording their various adventures.
Outside of the holiday itself, OSMH has enjoyed another year of growth, which has included some fantastic fundraising efforts, including many from OOs.
Peter Langsdale (L 18), who volunteered on the holiday in 2017, was part of a cycling team who recently completed the gruelling 12-day, Land’s End to John o’ Groats route, raising (at the time of print) nearly £3,000.
Since its introduction in 2012, Mencap Outdoors, the camping holiday for young adults, goes from strength to strength, with another two long weekends under canvas in 2018. With a (slightly) more relaxed vibe than the summer holiday, Mencap Outdoors has become an incredibly popular short break, where everyone involved enjoys a few days in Wadenhoe, come
rain or shine.
In addition to the growth of the
summer holiday and Mencap Outdoors, OSMH is proud to have helped build a legacy, inspiring former volunteers and helping other schools set up similar programmes.
In addition to St John’s School in Leatherhead’s community holiday (now in its fifth year), OSMH has been delighted to assist with the creation and the operation of the first Highreach Holiday at Highfield School in Hampshire this year, which by all accounts has been a storming success.
In addition, we are delighted to report that Sue Fletcher-Watson’s (W 98) Super Troop holiday enjoyed its first week at Fettes College this year and has been equally as successful. You can read more about Highreach and Super Troop at www.highfieldschool.org.uk/extra- dimensions/highreach-holidays and www.supertroop.org respectively.
Finally, as anyone who reads this annual report or has experience of volunteering with OSMH will know, one of the main pillars on which the charity relies is the kindness, generosity and experience
Sanderson Housemistress Sarah Ratchford from regular roles in the senior team after over 14 years. Both Kate and Sarah are hugely-loved members of the OSMH family, who have been instrumental in both the continued success of the summer holiday and the happy memories of the hundreds of children who have enjoyed spending summer times in Oundle over the years.
They will both be sorely missed by all, but remain, as does everyone involved, part of the Mencap family. We look forward to staying in touch and wish them all the best.
As ever, OSMH remains an entirely volunteer-led operation, which relies on the kindness and generosity of our supporters, many of whom are OOs. We would like to offer our deepest thanks to everyone who has supported us this year and enabled the charity to keep offering the service that it does to holidaymakers, their families and volunteers alike.
Another ‘outstanding’ rating from Ofsted in 2018 reiterates the fantastic job done by everyone involved with OSMH, whether present on one of our holidays or not, so thanks also to them all.
THE OLD OUNDELIAN 2017 –2018
FEATURE
Building a legacy
Sam Cone (St A 05) reports on another year of growth for Oundle School Mencap Holidays
of some of the senior volunteers who return to Oundle year on year.
It is with sadness, therefore, that we say goodbye to both Kate Cooper Owen (Sn 04) and
For any more information, to help fund-raise or to generally get in touch, please visit www.oundlemencap.co.uk.
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