On the 25th May Siblings United set off on our first holiday of the year in the beautiful Peak District. Of the 10 separated siblings who attended for two sisters this was their first camp experience. Linda Jones, Siblings United Coordinator, writes below about their experience over the week and how they got on together and the other young people on the trip (names have been changed).
With just a couple days to go before we set off to the Peak District for our first camp of the year Siblings United received a call from a foster carer inquiring if it was too late for Sam, a 15 year old girl 
in her care to attend camp with her 12 year old younger sister Lisa, who is fostered by another family. Although Sam and Lisa live quite close to each other the two do not get to see each other very often and had never attended a Siblings camp before. By working together we and the foster carers were able to get all the paperwork done and approval from social workers in time to go.
Because the siblings live in Scotland it was decided that we would meet them at the camp. It so happened that all the other young people who attended this camp had been on a Siblings United camp before and so knew each other, so it must have been a little daunting for Sam and Lisa to begin with.
Sam and Lisa shared a room and the first thing they had to do was sort out their bedding and settle into the space they would be in for the week. Older sister Sam helped Lisa make her bed and really
made an effort to support Lisa who has ADHD and does not like being with large groups of people. Next it was dinner time where all the young people would be together for the first time. Everybody sat down together at the dining table and although Sam and Lisa were quiet and a little shy to begin with, the other young people made an effort to include them and engage with the two new members of the Sibling Camp family. By the end of dinner they were all chatting away and getting to know each other. Sam made sure that Lisa was included in the conversations and by bed time they were all good friends.
The following morning all the siblings had their first activity which was fencing and both Sam and Lisa got fully involved. Again Sam was there to support Lisa by helping her with the equipment. Half way through the activity Lisa got very hot and wanted to sit out and just watch from the side lines, cheering her sister on and having a good time.
The next couple of days were spent going out on day trips riding cable cars up to the Heights of Abraham, travelling on boats underground in the Speedwell caves, visiting an Adventure Playground, learning circus skills. By now both Sam and Lisa were becoming more independent and mixing more with the group, but at the same time remained there for each other. Sam seemed to 
find a common ground with other members of the camp her age who shared the same love of music. Lisa communicated confidently with everyone, but was also content to occupy herself at times with games and films. The last activity was a trip to a chocolate makers, where Sam and Lisa worked together to hand make all kind of tasty treats. It was great to see them working together as a team, listening to each others ideas and learning new skills of the yummy kind.
Sam and Lisa showed themselves to be regular loving sisters. Sam was always looking out for Lisa and always on hand to steer her through any social situation that she may have needed a little help. Lisa is an easy going girl who looks up to her sister and they get on really well.
By Wednesday Lisa was asking if we could extend the camp for a few more days as she was really enjoying herself and the time she was spending with her sister.
A few days after the camp we were sent a message from Sam’s carer saying that they both got back from camp saying how much they had enjoyed themselves.
All in all Siblings United camp seems to have worked out very well for both Sam and Lisa, they were able to spend quality time together in a safe, fun environment and acquire good positive shared memories that will be with them for a life time.
To find out more about Siblings United contact Linda Jones on 0208 875 2373 or email siblings@shaftesbury.org.uk
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