28/08/2026
💚💜🧡
So proud of the team!!
💜🧡💚
Five FULL weeks of Holiday Club at TOPCATS Charity, and I think it’s fair to say that some of our young people have enough energy to power the whole of Lowestoft for at least a fortnight! 😂
There have been trips out, a little gaming, activities, swimming, outings, crafts, crabs nets and buckets, games, laughter, music, cooking, packed lunches, missing water bottles, messy play, repeated questions, changed plans, sun cream, raincoats (sometimes on the same day 🙄😂), and probably enough snacks to fill a small supermarket!
But behind all of that fun is something incredibly important.
Sadly, we are seeing and hearing that more and more children and young adults with additional needs seem to be getting less and less in terms of opportunities, services and support from the Local Authority.
Families are fighting harder for support. Services are stretched. Opportunities are limited. And respite, real meaningful respite, is desperately needed.
That is why what we have achieved over these last five weeks means so much more than simply keeping everyone “busy”.
🧡We’ve made their time COUNT.
We’ve watched young people try new things, go to new places, spend time with friends, build confidence, practise independence and, most importantly, just have the opportunity to be young people enjoying their summer holidays.
And THAT is the highlight of all the hard work.
Because while our young people are having meaningful experiences with us, their parents and carers are getting something equally important….a few precious hours where they can breathe, spend time with other family members, get things done or simply have a well-earned break knowing their loved one is safe, happy and having a brilliant time. 💚
None of that happens by accident.
It happens because we have a team who turn up.
A team who adapt.
A team who problem-solve.
A team who somehow manage to smile even when they’ve heard the same question approximately 746 times before lunch. 😂😂
A team who understand that what might look like “just a day out” to somebody else can be a massive achievement for one of our young people.
So to our fantastic TOPCATS team
THANK YOU. 💚🧡💜
Thank you for every early start, every activity, every trip, every difficult moment you’ve worked through, every laugh, every bit of encouragement and every memory you have helped create.
The last five weeks have been exhausting, chaotic, interesting, hilarious, challenging and absolutely BRILLIANT.
And when support elsewhere feels like it is becoming harder and harder to access, I am even more determined that when our young people walk through the doors of TOPCATS, their time with us matters.
That is what makes all the planning, paperwork, stress and hard work worthwhile hey Carla!! 🤣💪🏻
So Team TOPCATS… go and enjoy your long weekend.
Put your feet up.
Recharge your batteries.
Enjoy the peace and quiet…
…and if anybody asks you the same question 746 times this weekend…….RUN! 😂😂😂
Seriously though, I couldn't be prouder.
TEAMWORK REALLY DOES MAKE THE DREAM WORK. 🧡💚💜
Thank you for giving our young people the summer they deserve.
Anne Marie ###💜🧡💚
