Finsbury & Clerkenwell Volunteers recognise the value of holidays in improving quality of life, particularly for those who may have become isolated or housebound as a result of disability. Our feedback has shown that the 'holiday effect' begins when the holiday is booked and people start looking forward to the break. Memories of a having had a happy holiday hopefully continue the effect for weeks afterwards.

In 1998, funds were raised for an accessible holiday home which we saw as a useful resource for a holiday project. The eight-birth mobile home at Steeple Bay, near Maldon in Essex, has proved very popular as a restful, waterside location. It is only fifty miles from London which means we have been able to offer many therapeutic day trips as well as our longer stays.

This group, in its different formats, has been meeting for seventeen years and holds its Tuesday meetings in the comfortable lounge of Priory House, off Clerkenwell Green. The group has supportive discussions about their everyday lives and how their different disabilities affect them.

Transport to the meeting is provided by the Volunteers' ambulance which also takes them on some special outings.

The organisation supports two local clubs which met in a community centre in the Angel area.

Assisted shopping trips to local supermarkets and shopping centres take place on most Wednesdays throughout the year.

Many referrals for practical tasks are often received. These might include taking down and re-hanging curtains, securing shelves or replacing fluorescent lights.

We have built up a useful collection of DIY and gardening equipment which enables us to carry out small maintenance, decorating and gardening jobs which fall outside of local authority provision.