Newsletter—Winter 2009

‘DART better than QE2!’

Sue Counsell from Tewkesbury came for her first DART holiday in 2009. She spent 4 days with us on the Kennet and Avon Canal and wrote afterwards.

Dear DART,

My short holiday on the Kennet and Avon canal was so much fun, so enjoyed the company, making some friends to keep in touch with. The crew and Paul looked after me well and very kind to me. I hope to have the same holiday next year with DART.

Thanking you all,

From Sue Counsell.

During her trip from Devizes to Great Bedwyn Sue was also asked how her holiday compared with her cruise on the QE2. She declared without reservation that it was much better!

2010 trips

Our 2010 brochure is now available with a full programme of trips for 2010. We are returning to the River Thames this year and will also be running a trip to York which we hope will be even more successful this time (We had flood problems in 2007). As well as the brochure full details of all trips, how to book and help with risk assessment are available on our web site www.glosdart.co.uk.

Phill Hucks—D.A.R.T. trip manager

My name is Phill Hucks and I am one of DART’s trip managers, responsible for seeing that you get the best out of your holiday with us. My earliest memories of my childhood holidays are of boating on the Norfolk Broads and I have always liked being on the water, whether it is in a canoe or an old fashioned sailing ship. I work as a Job Mentor and Tutor at the National Star College in Cheltenham teaching young people about work skills, and I have had about 20 years experience working with people with a very wide range of disabilities. I used to manage a special needs recreation service in London and I have organised supported holidays all over Britain, Europe and the Middle East. I got involved with DART last year with the idea of developing a disabled student to become a trip manager themselves and I liked it so much that I wanted to come back for more. I really like the idea of having fun while helping other people to have fun as well and I’m looking forward to meeting some of you next summer.

Volunteer opportunities

D.A.R.T. is actively seeking volunteers for the following jobs:

TRIP MANAGERS. Currently the ability of DART to run more holidays is limited by the availability of trip managers. If you like people and have the potential to organise and manage them in a holiday setting then we need to hear from you. You will be fully trained for this role so that you understand the DART ethos and the structures we have in place to support you and the volunteers you will be working with.

A QUARTERMASTER to look after and maintain the boxes of cleaning materials and first aid kits that we use. Also last year we found that we could pass some food items from trip to trip as well.

MARKET DEVELOPMENT. Recently DART has been nurturing links with carers organizations in Gloucestershire and we would like to continue this and extend it to neighbouring counties.

Any one interested in any of the above (or any of the other volunteer roles on our web site ) is asked to contact us at the address given below.

During 2008 the DART trustees started their ‘Access fund’ by transferring money from the boat building fund. This new fund is designed to allow the trustees to support initiatives that will help DART to grow in the future by encouraging access to our holidays. In 2008/2009 the trustees supported Gloucestershire Young Carers and provided part of the funding for a carer to accompany a passenger who would not otherwise have been able to come. In addition the fund has been used to support a project to provide work experience for a student from the National Star College. Students will be trained to manage trips before taking charge of a DART holiday. By taking the initiative in this way we hope that we will be able to attract funds to support further projects and allow us to continue to break down the barriers that stand in the way of people with disabilities making a full contribution to society.

‘DART better than QE2!’

2010 trips

Volunteer opportunities

The D.A.R.T. Access fund