As one of the HIV counselors for North Staffordshire Health Authority part of my work involves supporting people who are directly affected by the virus as well those who are infected by it. There are of course no age barriers to this and in line with national trends more and more families are now becoming affected by HIV. Having worked therapeutically with families for about the last two years it became more and more apparent the effects of living with illness has on the children in these families.

For some time I had been thinking of piloting a summer scheme, the basis of which would be quality time where the children could be free to be themselves within a safe therapeutic environment. It has been my experience that children tend to disclose more about the worries and concerns of their world, when they are in a relaxed atmosphere. As children tend to step in and out of worries like stepping in and out of puddles it is important to be available for the moment, unlike adults they often are unable to stay with a feeling for more than a few moments.

The plan was to have one day each week for six weeks where I along with the Direct Services Manager from Buddies (Michael Carey) and volunteers would take the children out to various venues and to organise activities with them. Easier said than done!

Priority was to secure funding. I had already identified the need for the scheme through my existing work with children and families and in discussions with Staffordshire Buddies. Funding was secured and equally shared between NSHA (treatment and care) and Staffordshire Buddies. Then came training and policies. Michael and myself ran training sessions with the volunteers and from these the guidelines and policies were drawn, taking into account all the complex issues around boundaries and safety and working to very tight deadlines. I have to acknowledge the enormous amount of work Michael Carey put into getting the policies down on paper. This in place we could now plan a programme. This was decided as team effort with valuable contributions from all concerned.

DAY ONE: A day out camping at Barlaston, children were encouraged to work in teams putting up tents and playing games, after a lunch provided by The Upper House, we went on to have a paper chase and more games.

DAY TWO: Kite Making and onto Parkhall Hills for a picnic lunch and kite flying.

DAY THREE: Chester Zoo with picnic lunch.

DAY FOUR: Tittesworth Reservoir and adventure playground with a barbecue.

DAY FIVE: Llandudno for a day at the seaside with fish and chips for lunch.

DAY SIX: Ten pin bowling with a burger lunch then of to Tittesworth Reservoir again where we tied our secret wish to a helium filled balloon and sat and had some quiet time before letting them go.

I feel it is significant that it was during the last day that the children who had begun to trust, not only us but the others participating in the scheme, started to share some very personal and emotional information. Without exception all the children who had taken part over the six weeks felt that they wanted to see each other again on a regular basis and it is with that thought in mind we will look forward to the future.

Some of the concerns raised by children participating in the scheme were:

What will happen to me if my mum dies?

I have never seen my dads face he died when I was very young

My mums always sick so I cannot go out to play

In my nightmares someone I love always dies

I am very sad that my mum and dad are sick and that makes me very angry

Is it okay to cry because I can not always be brave