2008 Update

Hi Everyone, since 2008 is coming to an end I thought now would be a perfect time to bring you up to date with everything that’s been happening with Holidays From Home — there’s been a lot!

The first half of the year was spent setting up the Norfolk Pilot, using the Lottery funding we achieved last December. This involved having the holidays printed as books and recorded onto audio CD. We launched the pilot in August and so far have 40 people taking the holidays and getting some really positive feedback. We still have holidays available so if you know anyone who lives in Norfolk and might like to take one please get in touch. The holidays don’t require internet access so are accessible for a wide range of people. We’re now working with NHS Norfolk to find ways to directly provide the holidays to those that need them. We are also developing some new destinations, including Japan and India.

In November we updated the website and then launched the holidays nationally, allowing free access to the holidays online, for anyone who can’t go on holiday because of ill health, disability or age. If you know of anyone that may benefit please pass on our details. We also made some additions to the online holidays by way of sound effects which people can listen to while they take the holiday. Visit http://www.holidaysfromhome.co.uk/page.php?id=4 for an example day.

We’ve had amazing amount of interest from people as well as a lot of media coverage. We were featured twice in the Evening News and I was nominated for a Local Hero award; which was a lovely surprise. I was also interviewed live on Future Radio, a local radio station and wrote an article for Disability Now. We’ve had a lot of contacts because of that piece including Radio Four, not once; but twice! First a show called Travellers Tree were doing a programme on Virtual Travel and wanted to include us. I had to go into the Radio Norfolk studio and record an interview. It went out in November and 20 people from across the UK joined within days. We’re still getting new members on a regular basis because of it; which is fantastic. We were also contacted by You & Yours, who also wanted to do a piece on Holidays From Home. It’s due to go out at 12pm (noon) on Friday 9th January, so if you’re around please have a listen, or you should be able to listen again online during the following week.

I’ve been filming again for Inside Out, I was contacted by the man who filmed my original piece on severe ME who wanted to do a follow up. It was a perfect opportunity to promote Holidays From Home, so I agreed and we’ve been filming on and off for the past six months. It’s going to be shown on Wednesday 14th January on BBC1 East or SKY 981 at 7.30 pm, if you would like to watch it. I’m hoping we get lots of new members and opportunities from it.

We’ve had several successful and fun quiz nights which have helped us raise much needed funds and we are now working on ways to sustain our projects through the following year.

People have been so kind in volunteering their time to help Holidays From Home this year, we’ve had advice from some of the top business people across Norfolk who have really helped us develop our services, we’ve also had amazing people helping us research and write holidays, donate photographs, support us at events and generally spread the word about Holidays From Home.

Thank you so much for the continuing support which you have given us. We wouldn’t be where we are without you, it’s truly appreciated by myself and all the users of the holidays. We’ve been very blessed in 2008 and I hope that 2009 brings more great things for Holidays From Home.

I want to wish you a Happy Holidays, from Holidays From Home.
Best Wishes
Claire

You and Yours on Radio 4!

Well the media coverage just keeps on coming which is fantastic! I've just organised an interview tomorrow with a reporter from You and Yours who are going to broadcast a piece on Holidays From Home over Christmas. I hope we get more members after this one as we did really well after the Travellers Tree.

Interview for National ME Magazine

I've just completed an interview for the ME Association which is going to appear in their January magazine. I can't believe how many people are getting in touch at the moment. Word really seems to be spreading!

All go an the media front!

Yesterday was a busy day. I finished filming for the Inside Out East show on Holidays From Home. It's going to be going out on Wednesday 14th January so make sure you keep an eye out on BBC1.

We also got a call from You & Yours the Radio 4 show who also want to do a piece! I'm really excited about the coverage as it all helps to spread the word about Holidays From Home!

Find us on MySpace

We've just set up a MySpace page. Please add us to yours and forward it on to other people who might be interested!

http://www.myspace.com/holidaysfromhome

We're on Twitter!

Tipped as the new Facebook, Twitter is a fast application which allows you to update your status and let people know what's happenign with Holidays From Home.

Come and see us here.... http://twitter.com/Holidays4mHome

Travellers Tree Online

As you know Holidays From Home was on Radio Four! They interviewed us for Travellers Tree this week as it was on virtual tourism.http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00fgq2c It's at 24:36 if you can't be bothered to listen to the rest!

I'm going to be on Radio 4!

Yesterday I went into the Radio Norfolk studio and recorded a piece for Radio 4's Travellers Tree, a travel show hosted by Katie Derham. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/travellerstree/
It was really exciting; but I was also really nervous. Although the recording wasn't live I was desperate to make sure I said all the right things and didn't have a brain fog moment and forget what I was meant to be saying.

The show is going to be on Monday 17th November 4.30 - 5.00 pm. I'm waiting with nervous anticipation to hear what it sounds like. Fingers crossed it raises awareness of what we do and allows more people to access the holidays.

New Blog!

Hi! For those of you who don't know me, my name's Claire and I run Holidays From Home a voluntary organisation who provide free virtual holidays for people who are bed or house bound or are unable to travel due to illness or disability.

I thought it was about time I set up a blog so friends and supporters can follow the progress of Holidays From Home and hear of all the latest developments which seem to be happening on a daily if not hourly basis at the moment!

What is a virtual holiday I hear you ask? Well it's a carefully described, multi sensory experience which allows you to feel as if you are on holiday in another country without you ever leaving the room! They are a lot of fun and a new area of online experiences.

We are currently running a pilot of the holidays in Norfolk and setting up to allow national access to the holidays, so watch this space for the national launch. You can check us out at
www.holidaysfromhome.co.uk