We are thrilled to announce applications for VICTA’s Spring Family Weekend are now open.
Join VICTA as we celebrate our 40th year on a big family adventure! Our Family Weekends are a great opportunity to try new things, meet people and share experiences. We provide a range of amazing activities for you and your children, as well as a chance to attend workshops and talks. As usual, we will have our themed party night with competitions and prizes up for grabs! Our theme for this weekend is Storybook Characters.
The setting
The VICTA Spring Family Weekend is heading back to The Pioneer Centre in Kidderminster. The Pioneer Centre is situated in stunning countryside on the edge of the Wyre Forest. The Pioneer Centre offers en-suite accommodation, communal spaces and catering all under one roof providing a secure environment to enjoy Pioneer’s rural location and facilities. The Pioneer Centre welcomes nearly 20,000 guests a year on their 25-acre Canadian inspired site. The centre is designed primarily for school and youth groups so sleeping accommodation is standard dormitory style accommodation.
The adventure
Activities on offer at the centre include zip wire, raft building, night line, low and high ropes, archery, aerial trek and many more. The activities will be run by the Pioneer Centre’s activity staff who ensure everyone has an amazing time. Children take part in the activities in groups arranged by age with the support of VICTA volunteers and the centre staff. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to bond with other children their own age who may have had similar experiences in life. While the children are off on their adventures, parents attend workshops and (not to be out-done by their daring children) also have the opportunity to try some of the activities themselves. Families then regroup to share their experiences of the day, enjoy mealtimes and take part in the evening activities together.
More information
The minimum age for the activity groups is six years old. Younger siblings are welcome to join us for the weekend and there will be a toy room and craft area available for you to amuse your younger ones. Please note that any siblings under 6 years old not taking part in activities must be supervised by an adult.
The Pioneer Centre’s restrictions on children taking place in activities are as follows: your child must be able to understand the safety briefing given by the activity instructors and fit safely into the specialist equipment provided such as a helmet and harness.
If you would like to apply for your family to attend, please complete the online application form below.
If you are offered a place on a Family Weekend, you will need to pay 50% non-refundable deposit of your family’s place. The remaining balance will be due no later than six weeks before the activity. The contribution required is £95 per person, 0 to 5 years are free (if this is your first Family Weekend or if you refer a friend who joins us on the weekend, you will receive a £25 ‘credit note’ after the weekend to be used towards the cost of your VI child’s place on another VICTA activity). Your contribution covers your family’s accommodation, all organised activities and three warm meals per day.
The actual cost to VICTA per person to attend a Family Weekend is approximately £300, so if you are in a position to pay more than the minimum required that would be greatly appreciated. More importantly, given the costs, it is really important that you inform us if you are unable to accept your place so that it can be offered to another family on the waiting list.
We are expected to be over-subscribed so please make sure you get your applications in before the closing date.
Who can apply?
Your child/ren with a vision impairment must be:
- Registered or registrable blind or partially sighted
- At least 6 on 28 May 2027
- Aged 17 or under on 31 May 207
- Physically, socially and emotionally able to take part independently in a group setting with peers of a similar age
- Able to communicate their needs independently
- Able to maintain their own personal hygiene
- Able to take medication independently (if applicable)
Siblings: Other than the requirement to be registered or registerable blind or partially sighted, this also applies to all siblings attending.
Maximum group size and ratio: we can only accept a maximum group size of 6 of immediate family members, with a ratio of no higher than 3 adults per 1 child.
Please note: VICTA staff and volunteers support children with a vision impairment to access activities independently. Unfortunately, we can’t accept applications where the child is reliant on constant additional support from a parent or other trained professional.
To apply for the Spring Family Weekend please complete the short form below. You will then receive a link by email to the full application form. If you don’t receive this link, please email [email protected].
After completion, you should receive a successful submission message and a link to complete the full application form. If you do not it may be because you have not completed a required field.
