• Each year since starting the charity, we have organised a holiday for all the members and families. 

  • The main aims of our holidays are to provide respite for parents and carers, whilst the children are able to take part in various day-to-day activities and recreational fun.

  • From 2013 to 2019 we organised an annual trip to Scarborough, staying at the Legendary Wydale Hall for 5 nights each summer.

  • In 2020 our planned Scarborough trip was cancelled due to Covid-19 restrictions.

  • Every year since summer 2021 we have went on our annual weeks holiday to the beautiful Drimsynie Caravan Park at Lochgoilhead (the location of our every own SAMS Caravans).

DRIMSYNIE CARAVAN PARK - July 2021, 2022 & 2023 & 2024

We decided to change our annual holiday location in 2021 due to the social-distancing measures that were in place at that time. Drimsynie Estate in Loch Goilhead seemed like an ideal location and we knew it so well with our very own SAMS caravans being located there. We hired a number of luxury caravans for the week which our families got to stay in. It worked very different from our usual trip to Scarborough but here at SAMS, we love a new adventure! It worked so well in fact that we decided to come back and do it all again in July 2022 and then in July 2023 and most recently in July 2024! We have added even more activities with each year that we come back and even more support for parents and carers each year.

Just like on our Scarborough holidays we relied on our brilliant volunteers to take all the kids out during the day which helps give families and carers a well-earned break. Various activities were ran during the day for the kids and then the children were returned to their caravans in the early evening to spend time with their family and carers. There was also evening entertainment that everyone was welcome to come and enjoy. Day-time activities that we take part in at Loch Goilhead include Kayaking, Boat Trips, Swimming, Soft Play, Fencing, Zorbing, Archery, Axe Throwing, Lazer Tag, Sand Art and Gorge Walking just to name a few. With every year we go to Loch Goilhead there are an increased amount of activities available to take part in. There really is such a big variety of activities available for the kids each year and we really do feel there is something for everybody. It is fair to say that our caravan trips have been all-go from start to finish and the children had non-stop fun! The children were provided with delicious snacks and treats throughout the day and families and carers got to benefit from their expenses being paid which covered all food and drinks costs.

Holiday Photos 2024

Holiday Photos 2023

Holiday Photos 2022 & 2021

SCARBOROUGH - Summer 2013 - 2019

From 2013 to 2019 SAMS organised 7 annual trips to Wydale Hall, Scarborough. Every year, our volunteers, families and children would feel a real rush of excitement to experience yet another annual SAMs adventure. The excitement was for good reason as our annual trips got better and better each year! We know you probably think we are just saying this though we honestly do believe it. There were laughs, banter, smiles and fun from start to finish. The majority of the children and the families would return each year for the annual SAMS Scarborough trip, with some families having been almost every year. There were always a few new families who came to experience the trip for the first time too. As well as families and children, we would often see the same volunteers return to help each year.

The trip followed a very similar schedule each year with a full itinerary of activities and fun organised for each day. Transport between Glasgow and Scarborough was always facilitated by the brilliant Arnold Clark van rental who provided their vans for free. 

Some of the day trips organised whilst at Scarborough included an indoor Waterpark, Flamingoland Theme park, outings to the beach, horse-riding and Wipeout Adventure Park. The final day was a day spent at Wydale for the annual SAMS sports day. As per usual SAMS tradition, the sports day competition soon turned to mischief when the sports ground descended in to a massive water fight!  No-one escaped sports day without a drenched t-shirt, a soggy pair of shoes or a grin on their face. There was also plenty entertainment arranged for our evenings at Wydale.  The evening activities included a disco, a fancy dress party, a movie night and a talent show. It is fair to say that there were plenty good costumes, singalongs and dance moves seen over the week.

Throughout the trip, breakfasts and dinners were provided at Wydale Hall, with pack lunches made for day trips and plenty snacks and treats throughout.

Overall, our annual trips to Scarborough were always a massive success.  Everyone arrived and left with a huge smile on their face - kids, volunteers and parents included.  There were so many funny moments that will be laughed about for years to come.  The volunteer team pulled off a fantastic job and the parents provided a great help too. 

Reviews from families -

“Wow, how can I describe the joy, fun, laughter and inclusion that this club brings to me and my girls.
From the monthly clubs to having a week away where the girls got to have 3 fantastic days out experiencing & enjoying great activities and making great memories with new friends, while I have time to relax with the other parents, who soon feel like a big extension of your own family. The volunteers are amazing, and I’m loving being part of this club/family. YVONNE CONROY

“What can I say..had a wonderful relaxing holiday with the SAMs family. Lots of laughs, lunches, fancy dress, vino, bingo and genuinely the best 6 days ever. Cannot thank Colin and Cara enough and all the wonderful helpers who Rachel adores. Not a single tantrum/meltdown all week from Rachel. It’s an amazing experience and one that cannot be truly explained till you are there and are involved with the madness. Thanks to you all.”LYNNE STOLL

“Well....it’s home time from SAMs club in Scarborough. It’s been amazing, hilarious, unbelievable and silly. We have loved it. It always leaves a huge, empty void when it’s over. A massive thank you to the crowd of people who put it all together, keep it running, organise, entertain and create this party bubble.” HEATHER ROBERTSON

When we started SAMs, I was a bit apprehensive, Josh was a handful and I wasn’t sure club volunteers could handle his pace, meltdowns, traits and lack of communication. Two years on I couldn’t be part of a better group, Josh is extremely calm, plays well and feels at ease with all the volunteers, as is my daughter Abby who has built friendships and confidants in some of the younger volunteers. As a whole my family couldn’t thank SAMs enough for everything the do for us. A truly fantastic club...... a family. KIRSTY BAVIDGE

SAMs has been a godsend to our family. Seeing my daughter happy and having so much fun is fantastic. Her brothers also love the group and I love watching them make new friends and come out their shell.
As a parent of a child with additional needs it can be a lonely, confusing place. Connecting with other parents and enjoying the respite that SAMs volunteers provide is priceless. CATHERINE NOBLE

“Well its our last night at Wydale its been fantastic. Have hardly seen Aiden all week and that’s down to these wonderful friends from SAMs club, had such a chilled time away, love these people with all my heart, can never thank them enough for what they do for us, its like being away on a large family holiday” ALICE MCSORLEY

A truly special delight to see so many happy children at Wydale. Its been a privilege to have you all in the house. MARK RANCE (WYDALE)”