HopScotch Children's Charity

HopScotch provides free breaks for severely disadvantaged children aged between 7-11 years living in Scotland, who have no other chance of a break. Breaks take place at Ardvullin situated in Ardgour, north of Glencoe. Our season runs from April to October every year and each week we provide 12 children with a week\'s stay at Ardvullin. We transport groups to and from Ardvullin and provide a planned programme of activities which is tailored to suit the needs of each group. Our trained Project Manager drives and guides each group on daily activities and is on hand to support and encourage the children. Since it\'s establishment in 1998 HopScotch has enabled over 2500 different children to have a break at Ardvullin and the number has increased steadily year on year, from 100 in 1999 to over 300 in 2008. In 2009 we plan to provide 29 groups of disadvantaged children with a much needed break. The children are aged between 7-11 years and have no other chance of a break away from their chaotic and stressful environments. Many have histories of physical or psychological abuse or they have parents and family members who have a drug or alcohol addiction. They often live in dangerous, intimidating and cruel environments some with an almost total lack of care. Most of these children are carers, they shoulder the physical responsibility for the day-to-day care for a parent, sibling - cleaning, shopping, preparing meals, as well as having the burden of emotional responsibility. The majority of the children who visit Ardvullin have never been out of their town or inner city area. We also work with children who have special needs. Some groups who benefited in 2008 are Waverley Care Solas from Edinburgh, Parkhead Youth Project from Glasgow, Middlefield Community Project from Aberdeen, Children & Young Peoples Team from West Lothian, Tykes Young Carers from Sutherland, Highlands and Glasgow North West Carers Project from Maryhill in Glasgow.