THE SCOTSPIRIT BREAKS 2017 - FAMILY HOLIDAY ASSOCIATION
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The ScotSpirit Breaks
2017
More than 400 struggling families in Scotland
experienced the magic of a short break or day out in
2017 through a collaboration between VisitScotland,
the Family Holiday Association and over 80 partners
across the Scottish tourism industry.
"The break meant everything to us. We'd never had one
before. To spend quality time together as a family and
explore a new area was the best feeling ever."
ScotSpirit breaks in 2017
Thanks to the generosity of Scotland’s travel and Thanks from VisitScotland and the Family Holiday
tourism industry, 420 families from across Scotland got Association
the chance to explore new parts of the country in 2017 “The feedback and stories from the families we helped
and create precious memories that will last a lifetime. show just what a difference a short break or day
With 1 in 3 people in Scotland missing out on being out in Scotland can make. We’d like to thank all the
a visitor in their own country – and 250,000 children amazing tourism businesses and public bodies that
living in relative poverty – helping widen access provided accommodation, transport, attraction tickets
to tourism is beneficial for us all. It has a profound and meals in order to make these breaks possible – it
impact on the ability of struggling families to cope, couldn’t have happened without you! Thanks also to
enjoy new experiences and create happy memories. all the charities, teachers, social workers and other
Making tourism more inclusive for everyone also charities who referred families and supported them to
holds significant potential for our industry. make the most of their time away.
“VisitScotland is committed to working with the
I do not have words to say how much this industry and strategic partners to ensure tourism in
helped my family. Thank you so much! Scotland is as inclusive and welcoming as possible.
The generosity of the Scottish travel and tourism
industry has really been highlighted this year through
The ScotSpirit Breaks are co-ordinated by the growth of the ScotSpirit project. We’ve been able
VisitScotland and the Family Holiday Association and to help significantly more families and show them
are made possible by the support of a wide range that Scotland is an inclusive, welcoming destination
of industry partners, who provide amazing free for all.”
experiences for families struggling with some of the
toughest challenges life can bring. Malcolm Roughead,
Chief Executive of VisitScotland
These experiences include two-night breaks away in
The national tourism organisation for Scotland.
a hotel, hostel or self-catering property (plus travel
and entry to family-friendly visitor attractions), or John McDonald, Chief Executive of the Family
a fantastic day out involving transport and visitor Holiday Association
attractions. Dozens of dedicated charities and social The leading UK-wide charity dedicated to providing
care professionals are then able to apply for the short breaks and day trips for struggling families.
experiences and distribute them among hundreds of
families in need.
It was really good to get away. I have not ever been away with my wee boy before. It was
good to show everyone we can travel by ourselves. We both have additional needs. It was
BRILLIANT! Great to get away and enjoy quality time just me and my son.
Family who went to Aberdeen
The ScotSpirit Breaks in numbers!
1 amazing nationwide partnership
88 tourism businesses and organisations
420 struggling families in Scotland getting a much needed break
1,626 people in total experiencing the magic of Scotland
24 locations around Scotland
83 Scottish charities and other referrers able to support the families they work with
Unlimited potential to help make tourism more inclusive and welcoming in the future
All the families helped were referred by a professional working with
them in a supporting role, such as a charity, teacher, social worker
or health visitor. The families are on low income, with many affected
by challenges such as mental health issues, inadequate housing,
domestic violence and bereavement.
The main reason why families haven’t been able to take a break is the
cost, with many also dealing with family or personal circumstances that
420 families helped prevent them from taking even a short break or day out.
As a family we have
never been on a holiday
together and are isolated
in our local community.
The break allowed us to
have something to look
forward to and we had fun
68% had never had a planning what we would do.
holiday together before It allowed us to be the same
as other families for once.
Due to finances we would
never have been able to
offer this to my family.
Family who went to Glasgow
The incredible partnership work across the industry led to the project
being shortlisted in the Third Sector Partnership category at the Scottish
87% of families visited Public Service Awards, held at the Scottish Parliament in December 2017.
new parts of Scotland
100% had fun and 96% able to 89% got on 83% had
created happy memories cope better better as a family more confidence
The photos in this report are for illustrative purposes only and aren’t from the families who provided the quotes.
Helping Families Across Scotland
Where families went Where families
came from:
• Aberdeenshire
• Aberdeen
• Angus
• Argyll and Bute
• Dundee
• East Dunbartonshire
• East Lothian
• East Renfrewshire
• Edinburgh
• Falkirk
• Fife
• Glasgow
• Midlothian
• North Ayrshire
• North Lanarkshire
• Perth and Kinross
• Renfrewshire
• Scottish Borders
• South Ayrshire
• South Lanarkshire
• Stirling
• West Dunbartonshire
• West Lothian
The history was
great and Edinburgh is a
beautiful city. Before I just
stayed in my community
but I now hope to explore
other parts of Scotland.
The help we received You don't need to travel that far to go somewhere
when we asked for amazing and you feel like you are in another country.
directions or help It's made me want to go back to Pitlochry but also see
overwhelmed me. It was other parts of Scotland.
my first time in a city
I'd never been to and
I'm self conscious about
speaking to strangers. It
has truly given me a big Dundee was lovely! We had a great view onto
big boost. the water from our hotel room.
Theresa and Jude’s story
Theresa has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease We were very anxious when our social worker
(CPOD) and hadn’t had a break away in over 5 Years. advised that a break may be available and would
As a single mum Theresa is doing her best to support be beneficial to us. The Hilton Hotel was amazing,
her son but he is struggling to cope with school and the accommodation was beautiful and the food was
they have very little support to help out. excellent. Staff were very helpful and respectful to
us and made us feel so welcome. Jude and I could
The family enjoyed a two night stay at the Hilton
never have afforded this break and cannot thank
Edinburgh Grosvenor with the chance to visit
everyone enough for the support we have received
Edinburgh Castle and explore the city using the City
from everyone involved. I rarely leave home due
Sightseeing Tour.
to health conditions and almost asked our social
worker to cancel the trip due to anxiety. We are so
I loved thankful for this break”
watching my Theresa’s referrer, John, said “The break made a
son's face as we great difference to them and helped both gain in
entered the hotel confidence when communicating with others. I
and the trip to noticed a big change with both Jude and Theresa
Edinburgh Castle. after their break. It has helped them to feel less
This was our first excluded from society and they are now much
trip outside of more positive about tackling the challenges they
Glasgow - a real experience. Jude and his mum Theresa’s relationship
treat. has certainly benefitted from the break and the
visitor attractions they experienced in Edinburgh.
This family would never have had such a positive
On return Theresa said “Both Jude & myself had a experience like this without the support of the
wonderful time away in Edinburgh. Family Holiday Association and VisitScotland”.
WHAT INDUSTRY PARTNERS TOLD US
From the feedback we’ve had so far from the
industry partners involved:
• 100% got involved to support a good cause
• 91% feel proud that their business participated
• 95% would participate again in future
• 95% would recommend participation to others
We are involved because we have a
social responsibility to everyone in Scotland
to share our heritage and shouldn’t just be
for people who can afford it.
Very easy to set up and implement,
excellent communication from VisitScotland Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and
External Affairs with families who have benefitted alongside
and the Family Holiday Association. some ScotSpirit Break partners.
Craig’s Story
Before the break Craig had been under incredible
stress over recent years with the break up of his I loved seeing my children happy
marriage, caring for his mum who has cancer and and worry free. Spending time laughing
looking after his two young children who were and having fun as a family, making very
involved in a traumatic road traffic incident. special memories we will all hold on to.
Seeing new places and feeling positive
“We have struggled for a few years now and about life.
have been through a lot of family upheaval. My Family who went to Aberdeen
household income is extremely low and with rising
debt and responsibilities I am struggling to make
ends meet, though I am determined to provide a Craig’s referrer Ruth said “I think the benefits for
good life for my kids. Me and my kids need a break Craig and his children really began once they heard
from daily stress and struggle and I want to give the news that they were going to be getting away
them something exciting to look forward and create on an exciting break.
some good memories for them.”
Having something to look forward to that they
The family enjoyed a fantastic two-night break in certainly wouldn’t have been able to finance
Aviemore at SYHA Cairngorm Lodge including an themselves gave each of them a real boost. The
afternoon of kayaking at Loch Morlich watersports. children were able to focus on something really
positive and Craig was relieved at the prospect of
Craig said “I was delighted with the hostel staff giving them some happy childhood memories after
and just how friendly and welcoming they were, such a difficult couple of years.
especially with the kids. I didn’t know what to
expect with staying in a hostel but felt lots of effort Following the break, Craig made a photo album
was put into the family feeling at home” for them to share so they could talk about all the
activities and stories from the break. Importantly,
We loved the kayak adventure, it was Craig's eldest child was able to talk to his friends at
the best bit of the break! school about his mini-holiday, contributing to a sense
of belonging and normalcy amongst a lot of upheaval.”
Me and the kids have been through so Just thank you so much. This kindness
much and we were all really terrified and means the world to me and my kids –
scared and exhausted, we experienced it has been fantastic to have something to
horrendous domestic abuse and we for the
look forward to, and now to have something
first time experienced peace and calm and
where safe to talk. so positive we can all remember together.
I do not have words to say how much this Thank you so much, I can’t tell you
helped my family. Thank you so much! how much you have helped my family.
Thanks to all our partners across Scotland
VisitScotland and the Family Holiday Association This collaboration led to the ScotSpirit Breaks 2017
would like to say a massive thank you to everyone being shortlisted in the Third Sector Partnership
whose generosity enabled hundreds of Scottish category at the Scottish Public Service Awards held at
families to experience a short break or day out the Scottish Parliament in December 2017.
across the country in 2017.
More than 80 partners donated accommodation, transport or tickets including:
Abellio ScotRail, Aberdeen Science Centre, Apex Hotels, Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA),
Auchrannie Leisure, Best Western, Blair Castle & Gardens, Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park,
British Holiday & Home Parks Association Ltd, CairnGorm Mountain (Natural Retreats), CalMac Ferries Ltd,
Can You Escape Ltd, Crerar Hotels, Cruise Loch Ness, Dalkeith Country Park, Dolphin Spirit, Dundee Heritage
Trust, Dundee Museum of Transport, Edinburgh Bus Tours (Lothian Buses), Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World,
Enjoy Leisure, Falkirk Wheel (Scottish Canals), Forest Holidays, Frankie & Lola’s, Glasgow Life, Glasgow Science
Centre, Go Ape, Hallmark Hotels, Highland Experience Tours, Highland Explorer Tours, Highland Safaris,
Hilton Hotels, Historic Environment Scotland, Ibis Hotels, Interstate Hotels (Holiday Inn), Inveraray Castle,
Inveraray Jail, Inverness Castle (High Life Highland), Kelpies (The Helix – Falkirk Community Trust),
Landmark Forest Adventure Park, Live Active Leisure, Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre, Loch Morlich Watersports,
Loch Ness By Jacobite, Macdonald Hotels & Resorts, Mercat Tours, Mercure Hotels, Mount Stuart House and
Gardens, Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, National Museums of Scotland, National Trust for Scotland,
National Wallace Monument, New Lanark Visitor Attraction, Paddle Steamer Waverley, Palace of Holyrood
House – Royal Collection Trust, Parkdean Resorts, Pitlochry Dam and Visitor Centre, Principal Hotels, Rabbies,
Radical Travel (Haggis Tours), Redefine BDL Hotels, Robertson Museum and Aquarium (Field Studies Council),
Rodney Johnston Tours, Rosslyn Chapel Trust, Ryze, Scone Palace, Scotland’s Secret Bunker, Scottish Citylink,
Scottish Seabird Centre, Scottish Sea Life Sanctuary (Merlin Entertainments), Scottish Segway Centre,
Sea Life Loch Lomond (Merlin Entertainments), SGE Hotels, SPT, St Andrew’s Aquarium, Sugar & Spice,
Sweeney’s Cruise Co, SYHA Hostelling Scotland, The Real Mary King’s Close, The Royal Yacht Britannia,
The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, The Steamship Sir Walter Scott, TImberbush Tours, Verdant Works,
Vikingar (K-A Leisure), West Coast Motors (City Sightseeing), Whynot?, and Wilderness Scotland.
It really meant a lot. It Edinburgh Castle was fantastic it gave us good happy
changed my life. From that feelings. It was great to go out with my son to make
day, I’m a different person. childhood memories and take lots photos for his album.
I learned a lot about my
son and how independent
he can be. It helped me a
lot to see that my son can
cope with a crowd of people
when he’s happy.
Family with autistic son
who went to InveraryBuilding on our success
It’s fantastic that businesses across the Thanks to you, the families helped this
Scottish tourism industry are embracing The year have returned home knowing that
ScotSpirit Breaks. In 2017, we saw the number their country is a warm and welcoming
of businesses supporting the breaks double, place, somewhere that has so much more
which helped so many more struggling to experience and share together – and
families in Scotland enjoy a short break in somewhere that offers a future with more
their own country. Looking ahead at 2018, possibilities than before.
Scotland’s national Year of Young People, we
have the perfect opportunity to grown even
further and ensure that as many families as
possible have the opportunity to experience
the joy of a short break together.
For more information contact:
John.Kinnear@FamilyHolidayAssociation.org.uk Lee.McRonald@visitscotland.com
020 3117 0654 Project Manager
Head of Programmes
FamilyHolidayAssociation.org.uk
Published by the Family Holiday Association, 3 Gainsford Street, London SE1 2NE
FAM234
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