Welcome to the Glasgow Children's Holiday Scheme
Our new application form for 2019 is now available on the Downloads page in both Word and PDF format. Referrers are requested to use this form as it has a new section allowing families to indicate a preference for either a short break or a week long holiday.
Our Patron Alex Norton
Glasgow Children's Holiday Scheme is delighted to have the renowned actor Alex Norton as the Patron of our Charity. Well known for his many, many appearances in films and on television shows and despite being extremely busy with forthcoming appearances Alex has found time to make a short video in support of Glasgow Children's Holiday Scheme and to appeal for donations to help keep our charity providing holidays for almost 500 children every year. You can view his video on our You Tube channel by following the link below.
Let’s Give Children a Break
Holidays, for most of us, offer an escape to new horizons, fun and adventure.
For many families, however, holidays are out of reach. These families belong to the 20 per cent of the city’s population that is income deprived. A third of Glasgow’s children live in poverty. That’s 36,000 children, many of whom may never enjoy a few days at the seaside or in the country. A break can help improve self-esteem and promote better health and wellbeing.
For more than 60 years Glasgow Children’s Holiday Scheme (GCHS) has provided holidays for thousands of disadvantaged children and their families, building happy memories. Each year GCHS organises holidays for almost 500 children from the Greater Glasgow area.
GCHS offers three holiday choices:
· Most children have breaks with their families at our five static caravans at Wemyss Bay on the Clyde Coast and at our caravan beside the River Tilt at Blair Atholl
· Some children have summer holidays with volunteer host families
· Caravans are made available to youth groups for activity holidays
To support us please make a donation at Just Giving / Glasgow Children's Holiday Scheme, Text GCHS11 £10 (or any other sum) to 70070 or send a donation to us at Suite 114, Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington St, Glasgow G3 8AZ.
Thank you
60 years old and still providing holidays to children and families that need it
1956 to 2016
Right Reverend Dr. Richard Holloway delivering his address at the Thanksgiving Service
Glasgow children's Holiday scheme is 60 years old this year (2016).To mark this achievement the charity decided to hold a Service of Thanksgiving. This event would mark the work of the charity in providing tens of thousands of disadvantaged children and family members with a holiday. stretching from the visionary work of Lilias Graham in the Gorbals of the 50s' up to the present day with the charity still giving hundreds of children and family members each year a holiday.
This Service of Thanksgiving was considered an appropriate way to mark this auspicious occasion. It was held on Saturday 4 June 2016 at St Margaret's Episcopal Church, Kilmarnock Road Glasgow. The location was appropriate as Lilias Graham was a social worker for the Scottish Episcopal Church and for many years the charity was seen as an adjunct of that church. Although the charity has been an independent entity for many years it still enjoys support from Episcopal congregations in Glasgow and beyond.
The Service of Thanksgiving was well attended and, although held in a church, it contained an eclectic mix of prayer, music and personal testimony. (A copy of the Order of Service can be found here.) So there was something for all people whether religious or not.
The service was led by the Rector of St Margaret's, Reverend Doctor Canon Scott Robertson. Testimony was provided by those who had benefited from holidays provided by the Charity, their families, those who refer children and families for holidays and by those who had helped to set up and run the Charity.
The most poignant part of the Service was an address by the Right Reverend Doctor Richard Holloway. He had been involved in assisting Lilias Graham, as a young curate, when she was living and working in the Gorbals area of Glasgow. This very personal and thoughtful memorial of that period and her subsequent work and the impact on Dr Holloway was very well received. A copy of his address can be found here.
The service was followed by light refreshments in the church hall. This provided an opportunity for those attending to catch up with old friends or make new acquaintances.
To support us please make a donation at Just Giving / Glasgow Children's Holiday Scheme, Text GCHS11 £10 (or any other sum) to 70070 or send a donation to us at Suite 114, Pentagon Centre, 36 Washington St, Glasgow G3 8AZ.
Thank you
