Below are some of the questions we've been asked about volunteering for a PHAB holiday. The answers will give you a flavour of life on a holiday and the commitment expected from a volunteer. This list is not exhaustive by any means. If you have any further questions, please contact us.
- How are we organised?
- Where does everyone come from?
- Do I have to pay any money?
- Does a holiday count towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
- What's the food like?
- I need a special diet, will I starve?
- Where will I sleep
- Will I have to wake up in the night?
- Will I have time to pop to the pub?
- Am I insured?
- I can drive - will that help?>
How are we organised?
Each volunteer is usually allocated a young person with disibilities to look after and act as a first point of contact for any problems. This means that you can get to know each other well during the holiday. This arrangement doesn't mean that you won't get to know the others on the holiday, the amount of care your young person needs will depend on their disabilities.
On the Junior, Senior and Venture holidays you will also be allocated a young person without disabilities.
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Where does everyone come from?
The young people all come from the Birmingham area. Some are referred to us by social workers or schools as being in need of a holiday, others come for a change from family holidays. Some come from inner city areas, others from more affluent backgrounds.
Most volunteers come from around the UK and a few travel from other countries. Some will never have done anything like PHAB and some will have many years of experience.
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Do I have to pay any money?
All the activities, accommodation and transport to and from a central point in Birmingham are provided. Pocket money for ice cream, drinks etc. is not included. Once your place is confirmed on the holiday, you will be asked to pay a non-returnable deposit.
It costs a lost to run each holiday so we encourage you to help us raise money; You can help out on street collections, come on the sponsored walkor be sponsored by family and friends to come on the holiday. See the Fundraising page for details of how you can help.
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Does a holiday count towards the Duke of Edinburgh Award?
Going on a PHAB holiday will qualify for the residential part of the Duke of Edinburgh's Gold award scheme. Please bring your qualification book with you on the holiday and give it to the leader at the end of the week.
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What's the food like?
Great - you'll eat loads!
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I need a special diet, will I starve?
No, you won't starve on the holiday. The cooks at all the centres we use are happy to provide special diets. Tell your holiday leader before the holiday and he or she will make sure the cooks know.
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Where will I sleep?
Most volunteers share a room with 2 or 3 others.
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Will I have to wake up in the night?
It depends on the children. Most will sleep through the night but some may wake and call out for help. We have baby monitors so they can be heard.
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Will I have time to pop to the pub?
Er, no, if you leave the holiday then someone else has to work harder to cover for you. We don't take enough volunteers to give people time off. We have an alcohol policy that allows alcohol on some of the holidays. Some of the holidays forbid alcohol.
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Am I insured?
We have liability insurance that covers all the holiday participants for damage caused to or by them whilst on the holidays. This does not cover personal possesions which should be insured under your household policy.
The drivers are also comprehensively insured to drive the minibuses.
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I can drive - will that help?
Yes. We use minibusses to get around when on the holidays. If you are over 21 and have been driving for at least 3 years then you can drive a minibus when on holiday, if you are willing to do so. We will ask you to produce your original driving licence (both parts) and sign a declaration saying you are fit to drive.
If you have not driven a minibus before it is important that you practice driving an empty bus first, probably on the first evening of the holiday. Although fully insured to drive you will be responsible for paying any speeding or parking fines when you are in charge fo that vehicle. top