Biggest ever survey of children with asthma highlights need for Asthma UK’s Kick Asthma holidays (Scotland)
07 February 2006

Asthma is the most common long-term condition among children in the UK, and everyday an average of 75 children with asthma are admitted into hospital. Yet the results of a survey of children with asthma recently carried out by Asthma UK and Blue Peter showed that:

• Half of the children who filled in the survey did not have well-controlled asthma
• One in six children say that their asthma ‘often’ causes them frustration
• About a third of the children surveyed said they did not know or were unsure what triggers their asthma

This highlights more than ever the need to encourage children to learn more about their condition and to take control of it. Kick Asthma holidays – residential adventure breaks for children and young people with asthma and related conditionsn are a key part of the work that Asthma UK does in this area.

Kick Asthma holidays are important because they help to build confidence: while learning how to take control of their asthma through informal advice
sessions run by healthcare professionals, participants meet other children and young people with asthma and related conditions, and have fun taking part in lots of physical and social activities.

We know that the beneficial effects of Asthma UK’s holidays last, and that they help children and young people to manage their asthma better. Three months after the 2004 holidays, parents reported:

• A 9% reduction in the number of visits to their child’s GP for their asthma
• A 15% reduction in visits to hospital for their child’s asthma
• A 10% reduction in the number of days their child missed at school
• An 11% increase in the number of nights that their child’s sleep was undisturbed by their asthma

Children are closely supervised by specially trained volunteers and health professionals, so they can participate safely in a variety of activities that they may previously have had to miss out on. These activities are split into two age ranges:

6-11 and 12-17, and include swimming, ten-pin bowling, craft sessions and treasure hunts for the younger age group, and raft-building, archery, T-shirt design and video nights for the older group. Both groups take part in asthma quizzes and role play games.

Natalie Miller, aged 16, had this to say about the Asthma UK holiday she attended in 2005: ‘I like meeting people from years before and seeing the
volunteers. I think Asthma UK holidays are brilliant. I have been coming for so long and it teaches you so much in a fun and friendly way.’

Kick Asthma holidays can also provide a break for parents too – for some parents of children with asthma, this may be the first time that they have felt confident enough to leave their child with someone else.

Graham Lane, father of 12 year-old Sophie who attended an Asthma UK holiday in 2005, comments: ‘It reminds Sophie that she is not the only one with bad asthma and eczema – this is very important as she doesn’t come across other children like this at all otherwise. She sometimes gets upset that she is the only one like this.

After an Asthma UK holiday she can put things into a different perspective. It also gives mum and dad a break without worrying about what, after all, can be a life-threatening illness at worst.’

Patrick Ladbury, Asthma UK’s Children & Young People’s Development Manager, comments: ‘Often the children are very shy when they first arrive; they may have been teased about their asthma at school or they may be worried that their asthma will stop them taking part in some of the activities. But after a few days the children become much more outgoing and confident in managing their condition. They realise that all the other children are in the same position and so it’s very easy for them to make friends.’

Kick Asthma holidays usually last a week and, as they are run by Asthma UK, the cost is subsidised. In order not to exclude anyone from taking part in a Kick Asthma holiday, parents are asked to pay as much as they can afford. The price ranges from £20 to £350 depending on ability to pay.

For more information, please contact Kick Asthma holidays, telephone 020 7786 4925,

The details for Kick Asthma holidays 2006 are as follows:

• 15-21 July Corrymeela Centre, Ballycastle, Northern Ireland
• 16-22 July Merchiston Castle, Edinburgh
• 6-11 August Frontier Centre, Northampton
• 9-14 August (12-17 year-olds only )Cefnlea Park, Wales
• 13-19 August Ashville College, Harrogate
• 20-26 August West Hill Park School, Southampton
  

1. Kick Asthma holidays were formerly known as PEAK holidays. The new name has been introduced as part of Asthma UK’s development of new and improved services for children and young people with asthma. Other Kick Asthma initiatives include the brand new Kick-A website based around the fictional Kick-A City and its residents the Kick-A Crew who show what it’s like to live with asthma day-to-day. For more information visit kickasthma.org.uk
2. The Blue Peter/Asthma UK Survey 2005 was completed by 17,340 children; 9,125 with asthma and 6,260 who do not have asthma but know someone with asthma. It was carried out in September 2005.
3. Results of the questionnaire from the 2004 holidays were compiled through analysis of evaluation questionnaires sent out to participants and their parents before the holiday, at the end of the holiday and three months after the holiday finished.
4. Parents of previous holiday participants are available for interview on request. Please contact the Asthma UK media office on 020 7786 4949.
5. Photos of previous holidays are also available from the Asthma UK media office on 020 7786 4949.
6. For further information on Kick Asthma holidays visit the Asthma UK website asthma.org.uk
7. To arrange a journalist visit to a Kick Asthma holiday this summer contact the Asthma UK media office on 020 7786 4949
8. For independent and confidential advice on asthma, call the Asthma UK Adviceline on 08457 01 02 03, or email an asthma nurse specialist at asthma.org.uk/adviceline.