There’s a lot of bad going on in the world, so sometimes we need to highlight the good. The work of student society Children’s Holiday Venture (lovingly referred to as CHV by members) is one of those things that offers some light amidst a dark cost-of-living crisis, where 29% of children are estimated to be living in poverty.
Established in 1963, CHV takes on children, referred to them by schools, GPs and social workers, and provides them with opportunities they otherwise would have missed out on. Originally, the charity ran a 3-week holiday camp for refugee children from post-war Germany, but since 1965 they’ve shifted their focus closer to home. CHV currently works with around 140 children in Edinburgh, aged 6 to 17, providing after-school activities, day trips and residentials, giving the children new opportunities and positive experiences.
CHV first came onto my radar when various friends started mentioning it as part of their weekly commitments. I was surprised by the number of friends, from different social circles, who were involved in it. Cynically, I was amazed at the willingness students showed to give up their time and run the activities the charity puts on.
Fergal, the secretary of the society, unashamedly explained that he got involved after seeing there was a free pizza info session in his second-year freshers’ week. “I arrived and was sat next to Seher (now one of our Grant Officers) and Catie (the President from last year) who, over the course of an hour, explained how it is the best thing they do, how funny the kids are, how reasonable the time demands are and just how rewarding it is. I was sold and signed up for an interview the next day.” Following training sessions and a PVG check, Fergal got involved working in Sighthill and hasn’t looked back since.
The work CHV does is vital. Over the Summer, when CHV isn’t running, they get numerous referrals from GPs and social care. “Children with past traumas need a space to be given special attention, form healthy relationships with other children and build their trust in people,” Grants Officer Luca explained. Her favourite part of volunteering is seeing the positive changes children experience with CHV. Through fortnightly activities, such as arts and crafts, mini golf and science nights, kids have a space to develop skills and confidence while receiving emotional support. CHV is all self-funded; fundraising and grants are vital for covering running costs. “Funding can be hard to get,” Luca told me, “but one grant can change everything for the financial year.”
Chatting to the executive committee, it became clear that finding this funding is their biggest challenge. “With costs increasing across the board, from fuel to insurance, each year we require more funding to continue to provide the personalised door-to-door service,” which is currently catering for 2 groups, 3 days a week.
This is also made possible by the generosity of volunteers who give up their free time to make this happen. This is a fully student-run organisation. And from chatting with volunteers, it seems CHV doesn’t just benefit the kids, but also the students involved. As one volunteer told me, “It’s really taught me about perspective. A lot of the kids have gone through really hard things. Understanding that they are just doing the best they can and helping them through that has been such an amazing experience.”
Does CHV make a difference? It seems certain. The committee has stories of children they’ve worked with in the past coming back to donate, volunteer and support them. A testimonial on their website shares how one young person, originally helped by CHV between the ages of 12 and 17, has now become a social worker in Manchester: “Thanks to the happy memories you guys gave me, I’m now re-creating them for other young disadvantaged young people.”
As CHV celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, it continues to provide opportunities for kids to improve their confidence and overall well-being. Its legacy lives on in the children it has helped, and the students who continue its mission to support disadvantaged children in Edinburgh – helping all those involved in the process.
Illustration courtesy of Jessica Bolevin
