The Wokingham & West Berkshire Mental Health Association Holiday Caravan was set up to provide accessible, affordable holidays for our mental health service users, their carers and families. The original caravan was purchased with a National Lottery Grant in 1997. We run it as a non-profit making concern and can therefore offer it to our members at greatly reduced rates. It is available from March to October each year, and is situated at the very popular, award winning West Sands Holiday Park in the picturesque coastal resort of Selsey, West Sussex.

New Caravan for 2009

We are pleased to announce that after providing twelve years of faithful service our old caravan has finally been traded in for against a new model for 2009. We would like to offer our deepest thanks this year to the following bodies, as without their very kind generosity this project would not be possible: The Berkshire Community Foundation and The O'Hara Charitable Trust, both of whom generously donated £5000 towards the new caravan, The Wokingham Lions for a £1500 donation towards running costs, Wokingham Borough Council Carers Fund for a further £1000, Alexandra Rose Day for £1000 and Wokingham Town Council for £500.

This superb holiday home is connected to mains services, is well equipped, and has the latest modern features such as a pitched roof, upvc windows and doors. It comes with a well-equipped kitchen, and the W/C and shower room is fitted with ceramic a bathroom suite. There are two separate bedrooms (one double & one twin) and there is an extra pull-out double bed in the spacious lounge area, which also has a fitted gas fire, colour television, Freeview & video.

We are able to make it available from just 30% of the normal rates (60% for those not on a low income), with further discounts available, and the prices charged are not per person, but per group or family of up to six people. Included in the price are your individual leisure passes which enable you not only to use the many and varied facilities of the West Sands Park, but also those of the adjoining White Horse and Green Lawns Parks.

Those of you who have already enjoyed holidays at our caravan will be familiar with the many pleasures and benefits of such a holiday including the Oasis swimming pool & fitness complex and the very impressive Solent Shore building on the seafront which among many others things is home to relaxing bars and restaurants with their stunning views across the Solent. If you have not been yet - why not make this year your first? You will be able to enjoy on-site attractions such as indoor & outdoor swimming pools, sun beds & saunas, crazy golf, tennis courts, bars, restaurants, cafes, amusement arcades & gift shops to name but a few of them. There is also a full and varied programme of live entertainment for you to enjoy. Children are also well catered for with their own “Bunni Club,” children’s entertainers, funfair, and on-site aunties & uncles.

For prices, availability, booking or general enquiries you can e-mail:

caravan@wokinghammentalhealth.org.uk

To find out more about the ideas behind the Holiday Caravan read Issue 03 of our Newsletter