Tips and Trips

WPCC’s Summer Tips and Trips 2021

At the request of a number of parent carers, the WPCC held a virtual Coffee Morning on 30th June 2021 to explore the theme of Tips and Trips.

At least 12 parent carers expressed an interest in the session; 2 attended along with members of the WPCC team. The WPCC recognises that some parent carers might have their children at home at the moment due to having to self-isolate.

During the virtual coffee morning, we chatted about ideas for day trips and shared tips to make them easier. We hope you find them useful too...

Contents…

Trips

Pages 1 to 6

Tips

Pages 7 to 8

Ideas for Day Trips Seaside – some beaches such as Weston-Super-Mare have beach wheelchairs

Accessible Countryside for Everyone (ACE) - http:// www.accessiblecountryside.org.uk/southwest Take a look at their website for information on accessibility to leisure and sport in different areas of the country. There should also be information on accessible beaches.

John Coles Park, Chippenham (SN15 1NZ) – https://www.chippenham.gov.uk/johncoles-park Nice splash pad, does get a bit busy in the summer.

King George V Park, Melksham (SN12 6ES) – café, play area, new splashpad (might get too busy for some children).

Shearwater Lake & Woods, Crockerton, nr Warminster (BA12 8AE) - https:// www.visitengland.com/experience/take-stroll-around-shearwater-lake-longleat-estate Take a walk around the lake and through the woods. Costs nothing, take a picnic.

(Make sure you park in the car park and not on the road as you are likely to get fined).

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Ideas for Day Trips Westbury White Horse, Westbury (BA13 3EP) - https://www.englishheritage.org.uk/visit/places/bratton-camp-and-white-horse/ Free, lots of space for children to play, watch the hang gliders. Take a picnic or buy fish and chips in the town.

Hope Nature Centre, Southwick, nr Trowbridge (BA14 9QD) - https:// www.hopenaturecentre.org.uk/

Country/ animal park, play area, café. Low cost.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust have lots of woodland areas to visit – https:// www.wiltshirewildlife.org/Pages/Category/nature-reserves?Take=24

Victoria Park, Bath (BA1 2NQ) - https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/sport-leisureand-parks/parks-green-spaces/find-park/royal-victoria-park Well-managed and wheelchair friendly play park. Pay to use toilets but good condition. Do not need to book but numbers are being restricted so you might have to wait for someone else to come out if it’s busy. Hand sanitiser at the gate.

Also in the park there is the Victoria Falls Adventure Golf - https:// www.facebook.com/victoriafallsadventuregolfbath/about/

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Ideas for Day Trips Ten Pin, Shaw Ridge, Swindon (SN5 7DN) - https://www.tenpin.co.uk/ourlocations/swindon/

Westonbirt, Tetbury (GL8 8QS) - https://www.forestryengland.uk/westonbirt-thenational-arboretum

Wild Place Project, Bristol (BS10 7TP) - https://wildplace.org.uk/ Very accessible and plenty of space for wheelchair users. There is a one way system around the whole place which makes it a lot easier to navigate. It’s the right sort of size, the one way system sets it all out for you so one less thing to worry about. You can do it all in a day. There’s also a climbing wall and a big swing.

A carer can get in for free, website advises you need to take evidence so parent carer advised she makes sure she’s got her child’s DLA assessment form on her phone.

Other tips: there aren’t many picnic tables so take a blanket as a back-up just in case.

There are toilets when you go in and disabled toilets and portaloos half-

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Ideas for Day Trips The Matthew, Bristol Harbour - https://matthew.co.uk/ A modern reconstruction of the original Matthew that John Cabot sailed to Newfoundland in 1497. Wheelchair accessible and the crew are experienced in working with children and adults with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

Their website says The Matthew is free of charge to visit – you can go onboard, look around, go to the upper decks, and chat with their knowledgeable guides. They also run special trips which you can find on their website.

Brunel’s SS Great Britain, Bristol Harbour (BS1 6TY) - https:// www.ssgreatbritain.org/ Brunel’s SS Great Britain tells the incredible story of one of Britain’s greatest engineers and one of the most important ships in maritime history. Brunel’s SS Great Britain is now Bristol’s number one visitor attraction, with two museums and the lovingly restored Victorian ship, a leading research centre, a wedding venue and a purpose built conference facility. Tickets to Brunel’s SS Great Britain include free unlimited return visits for a year! There are lifts and ramps (even on the ship) which make it fully wheelchair accessible. A carer/companion/assistant accompanying a paying passenger who is disabled will get in free. Under 4 year olds are also free.

Cotswold Country Park and Beach, Cirencester - https:// www.cotswoldcountryparkandbeach.com/ Offer sessions specifically for children with additional needs. Very helpful. Lots of activities such as stand up paddle boarding. There’s also a beach there.

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Ideas for Day Trips Monkey World, Wareham (BH20 6HH) - https://monkeyworld.org/ Pre-book and have specific entry time but no restricted time once in there.

Essential carer goes free. Take a picnic or they have a café. Brilliant playground. Lots of activities. As the primates are at risk of contracting Covid -19, Monkey World does have a mask policy – check out the following document on what to do if you are exempt - https://monkeyworld.org/wpcontent/uploads/Face-Covering-Rules.pdf

Marwell Zoo, Winchester (SO21 1JH) – https://www.marwell.org.uk/zoo/ 1 free carer. Accessible toilets plus the first zoological park in the country to install a Changing Places toilet facility. Take a look at Marwell’s accessibility info - https://www.marwell.org.uk/zoo/plan/guests-with-access-needs

Moors Valley Country Park & Forest, Ringwood (BH24 2ET) https://www.moors-valley.co.uk/ Country park, play trail, bike hire, and more. See website for details on adaptive cycling hire/sessions. Entrance is free, just pay to park (2-4 hrs £8, 4-5 hrs £10, 5hrs+ £11).

Lacock village, nr Chippenham – https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lacock-abbey-foxtalbot-museum-and-village/features/a-historic-village-with-a-modern-community National Trust parking, children’s park in the field, lots of space to run around.

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Ideas for Day Trips National Trust – if you call them you can find out about an essential companion card. Not particularly well-advertised. Give them a call on 0344 800 1895. More info on their website - https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ features/access-for-everyone English Heritage also have a Carers Go Free Policy. Phone 0370 333 1182.

More info on their website - https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about-us/ contact-us/membership-faqs/

Avebury Manor and Garden, Avebury (SN8 1RF) – https:// www.nationaltrust.org.uk/avebury/features/transforming-avebury-manor Very interactive. Nice house and garden. Big areas for children to run about and not feel like they are disturbing anyone.

Careful crossing the road, it can be a bit tricky.

Please Note Many attractions are restricting numbers and you will need to pre -book. Check their websites for details. Also check whether their website has an accessibility tab you can click on to check information on concessions and what evidence you might need to take with you. If you can’t find the information you need on the website, give them a call.

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Top Tips for Days Out

Travel box for the car, including: • • • • • • •

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Change of clothes, wellies, rain coats/ ponchos Wet wipes Towels (also some old towels/ rag for wiping down swings/ slides) Bin bags (for rubbish but also good for putting on the ground if it’s damp) Snacks and drinks such as fruit drinks, cheese savouries, cereal bars, crisps, etc.

Flask and coffee/milk sachets Football, cones, other games for outside A balloon ball cover – the balloon doesn’t burst and it’s very lightweight so it’s good for children/young people with low strength. Also good for racquet sports e.g. tennis. Can be bought online, simply search online for balloon ball cover.

A pair of binoculars and a book about walks in woods where you mark off the things you find.

Having this type of box in the car ready makes it easy for more spontaneous trips.

Discounts for public transport: Take a look at the disabled person’s railcard (carer can also get a third off).

There is also a disabled person’s bus pass you can use after 9.30am. If you have a carer then companion can travel free of charge. These bus passes can also be used on park and ride schemes and also for some sightseeing buses.

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Top Tips for Days Out

CEA cinema card (from 8 years of age) – https://www.ceacard.co.uk/ This costs £6 per year, person with disability pays usual price and carer goes free.

Rough Guide to Accessible Britain – check this out online - https:// www.motability.co.uk/news/rough-guide-to-accessible-britain/? gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_bqszOPT8QIVQuDtCh21BwhGEAAYASAAEg JKzfD_BwE

Covers all of Britain.

Book restaurants ahead of your trip/holiday A lot of restaurants are getting pre-booked very quickly this year, so it might be worth planning ahead.

THANK YOU A huge thank you to the parent carers who joined us for our Trips and Tips session and for sharing your ideas to help other parent carers this summer.

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