Children’s Holiday Venture is a student-run charity established in 1963, based in Edinburgh. We work with approximately 140 children who have been referred to us by social workers, schools and GPs. Our mission is to improve the children’s emotional wellbeing, confidence and social skills through free fortnightly activity evenings, day trips and residential camps.
Activities
Through our fortnightly activity evenings the children have the opportunity to participate in activities that they would not be able to partake in otherwise. These range from trampolining, to swimming, games nights and scavenger hunts. These activities allow them to be challenged within a safe and fun space, enabling them to discover their strengths and grow in confidence. Our child to volunteer ratio of 3:1 provides individualised attention and support, as well as fostering a sense of belonging in our CHV community. Our volunteers are able to build meaningful relationships through consistent long-term contact.
Day Trips
Day trips give the children an opportunity to spend a longer period of time with their regular groups and allows us to take the children further afield. Past trips have included going to Edinburgh Zoo, Drummond Safari park, Glasgow Science Centre, Time Capsule Waterpark and Dynamic Earth. The day trip often has an educational element, and older children are also empowered to improve their leadership skills. This is done through giving them the opportunity to plan and lead smaller activities throughout the day with the support and encouragement of our volunteers.
Summer Camp
We also operate 3 day residential activity camps. For many of the children we work with, this camp will be their first time leaving Edinburgh and being away from their parents/ guardians for the first time. This allows them to be challenged in a safe and secure environment, whilst discovering new skills. The camp activities range from capture the flag, to abseiling, zip lining and raft building.
Testimonies
I was a young person involved with CHV from the age of 12-17 and it was the best years of my life! I’m now a social worker in Manchester (originally from Niddrie) and thanks to the happy memories you guys gave me, I’m now re-creating them for other young disadvantaged young people! Thank you for the memories
-Mark
My favourite moments in CHV were always when you got to see a child try something new, and find out they were really good at it. I took one girl to the pool when I first started volunteering and she was really unconfident in the water, but by the time we did a day trip to Time Capsule indoor water park, she was up and down the flumes having a great time. The best nights were often the “uni room” nights, where we’d order pizza and play games, and this was the time you often had the best chats with the kids and really got to know their interests.
-Zoe
Our Success
62
Number of years we’ve been providing these services to children
140
Number of children currently accessing our services
95%
Percentage of parents highly satisfied with our services
About Us
Children’s Holiday Venture is a student-run charity established in 1963, based in Edinburgh. We work with approximately 140 children who have been referred to us by social workers, schools and GPs. Our mission is to improve the children’s emotional wellbeing, confidence and social skills through fortnightly activity evenings, day trips and residential camps.
Charity number: SC007496
Address
executive.chv@eusa.ed.ac.uk
EUSA Activities
The Potterrow,
5/2 Bristo Square,
EH8 9AL
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Children's Holiday Venture 