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Residential camps for burn-injured children have been coordinated by the Manchester Children’s Burn Service since 1993. In 2008, a Young Adult Burns Camp was started to support young adults, aged 16-25 years, under the care of the Manchester Adult Burns Centre. This was the first programme for individuals with burn injuries in this age group within the United Kingdom.
Following a traumatic injury such as a burn, patients face many challenges, and the process of recovery can take a long time. Physically arduous, painful dressing changes and repeated trips to hospital for further surgery are combined with regular massage regimes, physiotherapy and the wearing of specialist tight-fitting garments for up to 3 years post-injury to help minimise scarring. People who have sustained a burn also have to adapt to their burn scars, need to find a way get back into social and family life and face the reactions of other people.
They are experiencing the transition to young adulthood, which means moving from familiar and safe environments like school, to unfamiliar environments like college or work. Young adults are also likely to be entering into more intimate relationships and become more body conscious as they try to fit in with their peer group and feel the pressures of social media; this all becomes more challenging all with scars from a burn.
The activities provided by Manchester Young Adults Burns Camp are therefore designed to help young adults between 16 and 25 years of age face these challenges in an atmosphere of fun, support and rehabilitation. The primary objectives of the Young Adult Burn Camp are to equip young people who have suffered a burn injury with skills needed for young adulthood including:
- life skills and increasing independence;
- building confidence;
- improving social skills;
- engaging with a peer group encountering similar issues;
- supporting the transition to the adult burns service.
The Young Adult Burn Camp is organised by a multidisciplinary team of burn care professionals from Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust (MFT) based at Wythenshawe Hospital (adult service) and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital (children’s service), in partnership with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS).
All our camps and day activities are free for the young adults invited as they are part of a patient’s rehabilitation programme. MFT supports aspects of the programme e.g. by providing staff with additional activities funded through charitable donations. The first Young Adult Burn Camp took place in May 2008 at Cromford Venture Centre, Derbyshire. Since then further camps have taken place on an annual basis, firstly at Lane Head Outdoor Education Centre, Coniston, Cumbria and for the last few years at Low Bank Ground Outdoor Education Centre, Coniston, Cumbria. The analysis feedback and questionnaire data gathered at camp has found that overall it is an overwhelmingly positive experience for both staff and young people, meeting many of its aims and objectives.
How Burns Camp Activities Help
Patients attending burns camps activities are able to meet and socialise with young adults with burn injuries just like themselves, as well as meeting adult burn survivors and members of the Burns Care Teams away from clinical procedures. Our programmes aim to help patients build their confidence and self-esteem through physically challenging activities such as abseiling or kayaking and develop friendships and peer support by meeting others with a shared experience of a burn injury. Camp is a place where good scar management is encouraged with staff on hand to give help and support, coping strategies are shared, and young adults learn to face the public with the support of each other. So, whether they are climbing a cliff face, canoeing across a lake, solving a team challenge or chatting late into the night, our patients gain far more than a fun holiday or day out. They gain confidence and new skills to help them in the years ahead; they gain friendship and support from others who totally understand their experience.
For more information about Manchester Young Adults Burns Camp or if you would like to fundraise on our behalf please contact:
Alison Thomlinson, Burns Camp Coordinator
Tel: 0161 701 8142 (burns office) / 07827 848240 (mobile)
Email: alison.thomlinson@mft.nhs.uk
Manchester Young Adult Burns Camp
Future events:
Camp 2025
Will take place between 7th -30th August at Langton Adventure Centre, Cumbria. Camp is for young people aged 16 – 25 years.
Past events:
Camp 2024
Ten young adults, aged 18 – 24 years, attended the 2024 camp at Low Bank Ground Outdoor Centre, near Coniston, Cumbria. The activities provided by I-Guide Adventure included canoeing and paddleboarding on the lake, abseiling and a day exploring the Esk gorge. There was also a visit to Go Ape in Grizedale Forest.
Chill Factoré 2024
A group of 10 young adults enjoyed a camp reunion afternoon at the snow park in the Chill Factoré, Trafford Park, followed by food. A good chance to catch up and start thinking about camp for 2024.
Camp 2023
Twelve young adults between the ages of 17 and 23 attended the 2023 residential at Old Brathay near Ambleside, Cumbria. The activities were provided by High Points, and included climbing, kayaking & paddle boarding on lake Windermere, team activities and an overnight stay in a climber’s hut on the slopes of the Old Man of Coniston.
Links/Resources:
Dan’s Fund for Burns https://dansfundforburns.org
Hello Again https://hello-again.co.uk