The National Rotary KidsOut Day is not only KidsOut’s biggest event of the year but the largest single outing for disadvantaged children in the UK. The 2019 Day Out proved to be no different, with KidsOut helping to send over 28,000 disadvantaged children on a Fun Day out all over the UK!

The Day Out is run nationally in conjunction with Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland (RIBI), with over 450 Rotary Clubs taking part in 2019. This year’s Day Out saw children visit over 130 different attractions and events, with some of the biggest outings taking place at Wicksteed Theme Park, and Chessington World of Adventures, and Aldershot! The days out were extremely varied and included trips to the beach, zoos, theme parks, and even BBQs. The largest trip was to Drayton Manor in Tamworth. Drayton Manor have been huge supporters of KidsOut once again opening the park exclusively for KidsOut’s children. This year over 5,000 children visited Drayton Manor, and they all had such a fantastic day!

These trips will have had a profound impact on the welfare and development of the children enjoying them. Most children are used to experiencing positive days out. However, for the thousands of children who participated in the National Rotary KidsOut Day, the reality is totally different. These are children who have had to escape domestic violence, lived their life in daily poverty, or have suffered with a life limiting illness. This year’s National Rotary KidsOut provided these children with something to look forward to and something positive to look back on. Simply put, the day allowed them to be children and just have fun.

KidsOut were overwhelmed at the response we received from those attending a fun day out. One support worker was keen to tell us how important a family day out was for their service users, as they “do not usually get the chance to enjoy such activities due to anxiety and disability. Today was a way for them to enjoy a non-judgemental event where people are not embarrassed or scared of other children. This gives them the courage to try something new and the reward is clear to see for all the family.” Other support workers spoke of the financial limitations that stop their families enjoying days out and how taking part in the National Rotary KidsOut Day helped to encourage the children to spend time out of the home and develop the necessary social skills to succeed later in life.

A mother who attended one of the days out told us that her “children had the best day ever! Seeing them stress free is priceless. Thanks guys. We had a brilliant time thank you so much!” We also heard from a child who said “It was the best day ever!” Disadvantaged children all over the country experienced a day where their enjoyment of a day out was not defined by their disadvantage, and where they were allowed to just be children, have fun, and make memories.

Sandra Doherty, Head of KidsOut’s Children’s Services, said that “The Day Out holds a really special place in my heart, being at KidsOut for nearly 20 years. To see the children experience such a joyous occasion and giving them the happy memories they deserve is truly amazing. A big thank to all the wonderful Rotary volunteers who give up their time to make this wonderful event a true celebration of KidsOut!”

KidsOut would like to reaffirm our thanks to all the Rotary volunteers for making the day such a huge success. A special thanks is also needs to go to Colin Bryan, Managing Director of Drayton Manor Park (OBE), Melissa Penn, Conference & Events Manager Drayton Manor, and Steve Cartwright and Bill Elliott from RIBI. Finally, a big thank you to all the attraction/event providers who hosted the hundreds of trips around the UK. Without your support we could not have provided fun and happiness to as many children.