Vulnerable families benefit from free holidays

0 SYHA offered 20 funded breaks for families across Scotland Vulnerableanddisadvantaged families living in Scotland were able to enjoy free holiday breaks last year thanks to SYHA Hostelling Scotland.

The organisation offered 20 funded breaks for families at seven youth hostels in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cairngorm Lodge, Stirling, Aberdeen, Aviemore and Inverness.

The short breaks were enjoyed by families unable to take a holiday due to cost, ill- health or caring responsibilities, as part of a Social Tourism initiative run by Visitscotland in partnership with The Family Holiday Association.

Visitscotland’s Scotspirit campaign was a social tourism drive intended to illustrate the true Spirit of Scotland through the warmth and generosity of the people.

More than 30 industry partners, accommodation providers and tourist attractions got involved in 2016, working together with Visitscotland and the Family Holiday Asso- ciation, to offer short breaks to 250 struggling families – totalling 979 adults and children – by providing a vital break from their day-to-day challenges.

Donna Thompson, sales manager at SYHA Hostelling Scotland, said: “SYHA were delighted to be involved in the Scotspirit breaks campaign.

“As an organisation, we have been offering holidays to young people for many years through the various SYHA youth programmes including Give Us a Break.

“SYHA was happy to be part of this initiative by offering families the opportunity to experience a much needed city or rural break with us.”

SYHA will continue their growing youth programme portfolio in 2017.

These include Give Us A Break, a funded residential programme which aims to tackle social exclusion by offering groups of vulnerable or disadvantaged young people the opportunity to take part in activity holidays at youth hostels across Scotland.