Birmingham PHAB Camps

Hidden Valley Camp

Simon Wadsworth, a University student, attends the Fresh Air Fund Hidden Valley Camp in New York State and decides to replicate what it does, for the integration of disabled and non-disabled children, back in the UK.

1965

Planning in the UK

Simon meets with Jane Markham of the Birmingham Young Volunteers Trust (BYV) and they agree to plan and fundraise for a Camp for 40 disabled and non-disabled children from Birmingham to go on holiday together.

The first organisation meeting was held Monday 18th April, with Simon Wadsworth, Jane Markham, Faith Maddox, Dr Isabelle Cant and Dr Pasi. We then set up our first bank account in June with Lloyds Bank.

1966

First PHAB Camp

First PHAB Camp held at the Lord Mayor Treloar College. One of the volunteers is Tony Gray who remains with the Charity for the next thirty years. Mr I Mitchell, Head of Wilson Stuart School, becomes the first Chairman of Committee.

Two PHAB Camps

We grow from one Camp to two camps, and Jane Markham is invited to help Mary Robinson develop Phab England out of the National Association of Youth Clubs, based on her success of setting up Birmingham PHAB Camps with Simon Wadsworth.

Birmingham PHAB Camps continues to work in partnership with BYV. Mrs V Mitton becomes the second Chairman of Committee

Senior Camp 1968 1968

Diary of a Vounteer

Tony Gray co-leads a Camp for the first time and writes the infamous "Diary of a Volunteer."

Lady Mayoress Appointed as Chairman

The former Lady Mayoress of Birmingham, Mrs C.V.G. Simpson becomes Chairman of the Committee.

1970

First Sponsored Wheel and Walk

PHAB holds its first ever Sponsored Wheel and Walk around Cannon Hill Park which has taken place every year since.

1972

We Become a Registered Charity

Birmingham PHAB Camps becomes a registered Charity with the Charity Commission.

We carry out a survey of all Youth Clubs in South West Birmingham to help introduce our disabled children into clubs in the region, and support with the development of regional Phab Clubs as well.

1973

Weekend Camps

A series of weekend camps are held between 1975 and 1976.

1975

The Circle Starts

Shiela Harkin is referred by Social Services for Venture Camp.

She later becomes a volunteer on Senior and the Leader on Venture in 1987, demonstrating the full circle many children go on with PHAB.

1977

Our Current Treasurer Joins

Tony Rate volunteers on a PHAB Camp and meets his future wife Sally, prior to becoming Treasurer to this day!

1978

First Camp for Children with Profound Disabilities

Camps for children with profound physical and cognitive disabilities are introduced to the programme, in addition to the core camps.

1981

Our Current Chairman Joins

Maxine Ross-Wallis volunteers as a nurse on Venture Camp. Maxine later becomes Chairman and remains so to this day!

1986

Our 21st Birthday

Birmingham PHAB Camps turns 21.

To celebrate, 18+ (Adult Breakaway) goes on a pilgrimage to America, led by Tony Gray. They visit the Hidden Valley Camp in New York State, which first inspired Simon Wadsworth to create Birmingham PHAB Camps in 1967

1988

Tony Gray Retires

Tony Gray, our longest serving Committee member, who volunteered on the first ever Camp in 1967, retires from PHAB.

1997

New Website

Our first website goes live.

1999

Our new logo

Designed by James, brother of one our holiday leaders, the logo is bold, easy to print and features a line-up of children holding hands!

1999

First Holidays to the Wingate Centre

First holidays to be held at the Wingate Centre in Cheshire, where PHAB still goes to this day.

2002

First Committee Meetings at University of Birmingham

PHAB begins holding its Committee Meetings at Birmingham Business School, University of Birmingham, where they are held to this day.

2004

Venture visits Bendrigg Lodge

Venture Camp goes to Bendrigg Lodge in the Lake District for the first time, returning again in 2008, and every year since 2012.

2006

First Pace Holiday

We run our first specialist camp for children with profound autism

2009

Lord Mayor's Charity of the Year

Birmingham PHAB Camps becomes the Lord Mayor’s Charity of the Year, thanks to The Lord Mayor, Councillor Len Gregory.

2010

Our New Logo

A group of young people came together at the Custard Factory in Birmingham to design our new logo

2012

Eight Holidays this Year

Birmingham PHAB Camps runs eight holidays in one year, helping up to 120 young people from Birmingham and their families.

Children from Junior, Senior and Venture meet under the railway arches of the Digbeth Custard Factory to create Birmingham PHAB Camps’ brand new logo together.

2012

Archives Uncovered

Birmingham PHAB Camps discovers a batch of archives dating back to its inception.

2015

Meeting with Simon Wadsworth

Simon Wadsworth, the Founder of Birmingham PHAB Camps meets with Maxine Ross-Wallis and Andrew Miles to talk about the inception of the Charity.

Simon now lives in Memphis Tennessee.

2016

Meeting with Elizabeth McCann

Elizabeth McCann, one of the children on our first holiday meets with Maxine Ross-Wallis and Andrew Miles to describe some of her memories of the camp.