How kids can kick back this summer
13 February 2006

This year's Kick Asthma holiday dates have been announced by Asthma UK, giving parents of children with asthma the perfect solution for keeping them amused this summer.

The residential holidays (previously known as PEAK) give children and young people with asthma the chance to experience an adventurous break away from home.

'Kick Asthma holidays provide the perfect environment for children and young people to learn about their asthma,' explains Patrick Ladbury, Asthma UK's Children & Young People's Development Manager.

'The holidays help to build self confidence through physical and social activities and also include informal asthma advice sessions run by healthcare professionals. Participants also meet other children and young people with asthma, learning they are not on their own.'

Children and young people continue to benefit long after the holidays. 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 10% reduction in the number of days their child missed at school, and a 11% increase in the number of nights that their child's sleep was undisturbed by their asthma.

While on the holiday specially trained volunteers and health professionals closely supervise the children, so they can participate safely in activities they may previously have missed out on. These activities include swimming, craft sessions and treasure hunts for the younger age group, and raft-building, archery and T-shirt design for the older group. Both groups take part in asthma quizzes and role play games.

Natalie Miller, aged 16, who attended a holiday in 2005, said: 'I like meeting people from years before and seeing the volunteers. I think Kick Asthma 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 also provide a break for parents – for some it may be the first time that they have felt confident enough to leave their child with someone else. 'It gives mum and dad a break without worrying about what, after all, can be a life-threatening illness at worst,' said Graham Lane, father of 12-year-old Sophie who also attended in 2005.

Kick Asthma holidays 2006 take place in:
• 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), Cefn Lea Park, Powys, Wales
• 13-19 August, Ashville College, Harrogate
• 20-26 August, West Hill Park School, Southampton

Further Kick Asthma initiatives include the new KickAsthma website for children and young people with asthma.