SACHD - Helping Families Across Scotland

Teens Weekend 2008

Once again, teenagers gathered for a weekend of fun and chilling at the Netherurd Centre in the Borders at the end of June, 2008. Colin Swan gave us a great first evening, showing us how to juggle and how to do all sorts of sleights of hand till our heads were spinning, whether or not we got the plates to spin as well. Saturday morning had us trying our pioneering skills with a bit of bridge building over a stream. A combination of brawn and brain and lots of rope won the day, and soon we all had a go at rope walking across the water. In the afternoon we went to the zoo, saw the new Budongu chimpanzee enclosure and lots more as well, including the bungee/trampoline experience for at least one of our number! Eileen's quiz night and various games were enjoyed in the evening. On Sunday morning we each painted a mug or a bowl which was later glazed and fired by the potter at Doodles and each of us has our unique piece at home.

WHO CAME?
Eight teenagers came to this weekend, Euan and Adam for the last time after 6 years, and Thomas for the first time. Matt, John, Jacob, Andy and Sarah have all been before. Sarah held her own as the only girl as Hannah had to pull out at the last minute. They came from Kent, Blackpool, Wales and around Scotland. We had a great team of helpers, many thanks to Louise Gardiner, Eileen Fern, Tim Shimwell and Frank Ribbons.

WHAT NEXT?
The British Heart Foundation is now running weekends for teenagers every two years and the Children's Heart Federation is also running them. This means there are further opportunities for youngsters to get to know others and to build their friendship networks while having a great time and trying out new activities. These weekends started in Scotland in 1989, when they were the only ones of their kind in Britain. It means we need to plan alongside other charities to offer the best spread of location and of type of activity on offer and to consider the age group to which it is offered. At the age of eighteen, people can join Bravehearts and GUCH and are eligible to be delegates at the European conferences which happen every two years for people with Congenital Heart Disorders, next due in 2010.

AND SCOTLAND?
I have now organised these weekends for longer than bears thinking about! Grey hairs are in abundance and I've become a Granny! It's definitely time for someone younger than me to take these events into the future. Currently, Vicki Hendry is interested (tel 07786 433 633), in arranging something, particularly for the older teenagers. Watch this space, or join in with your ideas and let the Scottish Committee, or Vicki, know what you are thinking!

AND FINALLY
Very many, huge thanks to all those who have come along to help over the years, to the Scottish Committee for supporting these weekends, to those who raise the funds that pay for them, but most of all, to all of you who have come along and enjoyed them.

Lorraine Simpson