A Holiday Dream Realised

Chris and Sue have been supported by Bluebird Care since we took over the management of their social care needs. As a married couple living with learning disabilities and mobility difficulties, maintaining their independence while enjoying a fulfilling life together has always been central to their care.

For many years, Chris and Sue had fond memories of holidaying together at Butlins before their care needs increased. As their mobility and support requirements changed, they believed those holidays had become a thing of the past. Although Chris regularly expressed his wish to return to Butlins with Sue, previous providers felt that the trip would not be safe, meaning the couple were unable to achieve something that meant so much to them.

When Bluebird Care became involved, we focused on gradually increasing Chris and Sue's confidence and independence within the community. What began with small outings, such as accompanying Sue to the pharmacy across the road and later to the hairdresser, soon developed into regular weekly trips to a variety of places. Chris also regained confidence in getting out and about independently using his mobility scooter to visit the local high street. These positive steps demonstrated how much both Chris and Sue could achieve with the right support.

As their confidence grew, we began working closely with Adult Social Care to revisit the possibility of making their long-held dream of returning to Butlins a reality. Following a recent review, Adult Social Care recognised the significant progress Chris and Sue had made and fully supported the proposal, subject to thorough planning and risk management. Together, we developed a comprehensive care plan, completed detailed risk assessments, arranged the necessary insurance, and ensured that two experienced carers would accompany them throughout the holiday to provide continuous support.

To make the experience as enjoyable and stress-free as possible, every aspect of the holiday was planned alongside Chris and Sue, ensuring they remained at the centre of every decision. Together, we booked their accommodation, arranged mobility scooters, secured holiday insurance, selected suitable food packages, and organised priority access to entertainment venues. We also prepared practical arrangements for the care team, including dedicated communication equipment, planned rest breaks, and comprehensive care documentation that would remain easily accessible throughout the trip.

Carefully selecting the right carers was equally important. Two members of our team, Dawn and Annette, volunteered to accompany Chris and Sue. Both have consistently demonstrated exceptional compassion and commitment, regularly going above and beyond for the people they support. Their dedication, combined with the strong relationships they have built with Chris and Sue, made them the ideal team to help ensure the holiday would be both safe and enjoyable.

The couple took on their long-awaited holiday together with genuine excitement. Beginning with a weekend break allowed everyone to assess how the arrangements work in practice while giving Chris and Sue the opportunity to experience supported travel with confidence. They hope it will become the first of many future holidays together.