What is the Newman Holiday Trust?

• The Newman Holiday Trust runs holidays for young people. Sometimes we call it the Newman Trust – it's the same thing!
• The holidays are great fun for everyone who goes. That includes the adults!

Who will look after me on the holiday?

• Lots of adults help on the holiday to make it go well.
• You will have one adult with you all the time.
• If you are a girl the helper will be a woman and if you are a boy the helper will be a man.
• Your helper will make sure you have everything you need to enjoy yourself. He or she will show you around and help you as much you need. It is your choice when you want them to help you.
• A nurse will be on the holiday to look after everyone, give people medicine and help anyone who might have hurt themselves.

Who else will be there on the holiday?

• Young people between the ages of 4 and 16 years old go on the holidays.
• There is usually a wide mix of ages.
• Some people from your own school might go.
• Many children who go on our holidays make new friends.

How long is the holiday?

• The holiday is about a week long.
• It will be during your long school summer holiday.
• (That leaves you with loads of time to do other things too!)

What will I do on the holiday?

• There will be lots of fun things to do on the holiday.
• You might go to a theme park, or see a magic show, or play football, or go to a disco…
• Ask the holiday organiser about some of the things that you might do on your holiday.

What if I don't want to do an activity on the holiday?

• Nobody will make you do anything you don't want to do on the holiday.
• Nobody will tease you or think badly of you for not wanting to do an activity.
• If you do not want to do an activity you can tell your helper and they will sort things out for you.
• It is good to try new things! You can probably think of things that you enjoy now that used to make you nervous.

Where will I stay?

• Your holiday organiser will tell you about the place you are going to be staying at.
• Ask them any other questions you have.

Who will I share a room with?

• There will be rooms with lots of beds in them.
• Your helper will sleep in another bed in the same room as you.
• There will probably be other young people and adult helpers sleeping in the same room as you.
• Doing things this way helps us to help each other. It can also be fun!
• When you go to bed, your helper will go to have a break before they go to bed. Other adult helpers will be around to help you if you need it at this time.

When will I have to get up and go to bed?

• Breakfast is ready to eat at a set time each morning. Ask your holiday organiser when this is.
• We usually meet together as a group in the morning to find out about the day and maybe sing a song or two. On most days we will probably then get on a coach and go on a trip.
• In the evening, we usually meet up again for a short, quiet session before people go to bed.
• You will probably go to bed at about the same time as you do at home.
• The holiday is full of activities and fresh air. Many people find that they are tired at the end of the day and may even go to bed a bit earlier than they might do at home.

Will I feel homesick?

• For many young people, the holiday is the first time they have been away from their family.
• Nearly all children feel nervous before a holiday like this.
• You might feel homesick, especially on the first couple of days and nights. But most people find they are so busy and enjoying it so much that they forget about homesickness!
• You will have a chance to send a postcard to your family during the week, and make a phone call too.
• You will keep a diary during the holiday so that your family can find out about all the fun you had when you get back. Your helper will help you write your postcard and diary if you want.

Will I get any time to myself?

• It is true that most of the time you will be with a group, usually doing a planned activity.
• BUT there are plenty of times when you will be able to relax. It's your choice.
• Your helper will need to be nearby (that's their job!), but you can still do things by yourself, like reading or drawing.

What's the food going to be like?

• Of course, that depends on what food you like!
• There will be a choice of foods at each meal.
• The people who cook the food will know about any allergies you might have.
• Even if you didn't like any of the food on offer at a meal, you could tell your helper and they would do their best to give you something to eat.
• No one needs to go hungry on a Newman Trust holiday!

What will I need to bring on the holiday?

• Your holiday organiser will have a list of things that you need to bring.
• Don't worry if you don't have everything on the list. There's no need to rush out and buy new things! Just make sure your parent, carer or the holiday organiser knows, and things will be sorted out for you.

Will it be like school?

• NO!
• Some of the people from your school might be there!
• There are no lessons! No work! No homework!
• Most of the holidays are based in a school of some sort, but all the school’s children will be away on holiday.
• Some things might feel a bit like school, like eating dinner in a hall with other children. But this is a HOLIDAY – you are there to have fun, and the adults are there to help you do that!

What if I’m still not sure?

• Ask your holiday organiser any other questions you might have.
• Have a look at our website: www.newmantrust.org
• On our website there are photos of holidays from recent years. There are also the things that other young people have said about the holidays.
• Nearly everyone who comes on our holidays has a great time. And most of them felt nervous about it before they went!