Sharon and Chloe are sisters who met ATD Fourth World as children at Frimhurst Family House. Years later, they came back with their own children for a Family Well-Being Break at the house in Surrey.

Memories

Sharon and Chloe used to come to Frimhurst as children for residential family stays. At Frimhurst Family House, ATD Fourth World offers respite from the pressures of daily life for isolated and disadvantaged families, and provides opportunities for parents and children to relax, meet peers, spend time as a family, and explore their creativity. This is part of our Getting Away From It project.

Chloe says:

“I remember it was so exciting to come to Frimhurst. It’s kind of the only holiday we had as children.”

The sisters kept in touch with Frimhurst as adults, participating in our Skill Sharing project, which opens up volunteering opportunities to build people’s confidence and help them reach their full potential by valuing their contribution and supporting them to prepare themselves for the world of work.

In past years, this project has included community-build workshops at Cedar House, and other manual work tasks at Frimhurst and in London.

Sharon remembers: “You get to do things that you wouldn’t normally do. It was very interesting. And to see the before and after of what you’ve built is just amazing.

“We very much keep good memories of Frimhurst.”

Strengthening family links

This summer, Chloe and her daughter, and Sharon with her partner and daughter all came to Frimhurst for a family stay.

Sharon says: “To be back in Frimhurst, it feels the same. It’s the same excitement, to do that with our own child.” She says:

“It feels like you’re coming back to your own family.”

That week at Frimhurst (See this VIDEO LINK on FACEBOOK), parents and children relaxed in the house and at the park, painted in the art studio, decorated jars, jumped in bouncy castles, watched a movie and ate popcorn, rode a miniature train, and met animals at the farm.

Chloe and Sharon agree, “this stay has just been amazing”.

“It’s great to come to Frimhurst now, to build the relationships with our children.” – Sharon

The two sisters left with good memories. “It’s also good for the babies to see change. And when they’re older, we’ll show them the pictures, the people at Frimhurst.”

You can support our work in Frimhurst by volunteering with us or donating to ATD Fourth World.