Hill End Holidays - Introduction
Each year in the glorious Oxfordshire countryside Oxford Mencap organises three weeks summer holidays for people with learning disabilities. Around 15-20 campers attend each week together with similar numbers of volunteers. These holidays have been running for well over 40 years now and, yes, some of the campers really have been coming that long!
This year we are continuing to run three weeks of summer holidays, including the very popular Young Adults week. We always need volunteers and fundraisers to make all three weeks fun and successful. If you are interested in taking part, read the details below and the volunteers page, and then get in touch.
What happens at Hill End?
Oxford Mencap summer holidays are held at Hill End, originally set up as a field study centre, just outside Oxford. We have use of the Blue Dragon buildings consisting of two dormitories with washing facilities, kitchen, dining room and indoor recreational areas. It is surrounded by areas of open ground and woods, and there is also an outdoor swimming pool. Each week is packed with organised outings and activities. Past have included the Millennium Dome, Chessington, a large outdoor maze and Warwick castle to name just a few. In the evenings there are visits to the local pub and singing around the campfire. On the last evening of each week there is a traditional disco and barbecue where everyone gets dressed up, requests all their favourite tunes and dances the night away!
To see more about what we get up to, check out the photos
Dates and Contacts for 2009
Orientation Day
- for Volunteers - Sat 13th June, 12-4pm, Hill End Camp. Pick up from Oxford Station at 11:30am if required. It is not essential for volunteers to make this, but it is a good idea if you can (especially new volunteers).
- for New Campers (but old welcome to come along) - Sat 13th June 2-4pm, Hill End Camp
Holiday Dates for Volunteers
- Mencap I - Wales, adults; 7pm Friday 5th June to Saturday 13th June, 10am
- Mencap II - Older adults; 7pm Friday 17th July to 10 am Saturday 25th July
- Mencap III - Young Adults; 7pm Saturday 25th July to 10am Saturday 1st August
- Mencap IV - Elite, 2 to 1 support; 7pm Saturday 25th July to 10am Saturday 1st August
- Mencap V - Teens; 7pm Saturday 15th August to 10am Saturday 22nd August
Holiday Dates for Campers
- Mencap I - Wales; 11am Sat 6th June to Friday 12th June, 5pm
- Mencap II - Older adults; 2pm Saturday 18th July to 3pm Friday 24th July
- Mencap III - Young Adults; 2pm Sunday 26th July to 3pm Friday 31st July
- Mencap IV - Elite, 2 to 1 support; 2pm Sunday 26th July to 3pm Friday 31st July
- Mencap V - Teens; 2pm Sunday 16th August to 2pm Friday 21st August
More information
To become a volunteer, please download the application form and return to us. You can also download the volunteer poster to tell more people about volunteering with Hill End holidays.
To become a camper/holiday maker please contact Katie.hollier@yahoo.co.uk for more details and see the About Hill End form
Get in touch with Katie Hollier (email katie.hollier@yahoo.co.uk, phone 07740 630597) if you have any questions about Hill End holidays.
Directions
Address: Hill End Residential & Field Study Centre, Eynsham Road, Farmoor, Oxford, OX2 9NJ
- By Car: From the A34 get onto the A420 towards Swindon going west. As soon as you’re on the A420, take the slip road to B4044 and turn right onto it. Hill End Field Study Centre is just over 0.5miles down this road on the right hand side. If you reach Farmoor and the reservoir you have gone too far.
- By Bus: Take the 100 Stagecoach bus going to Eynsham/Witney. They depart from Gloucester Green bus station and also pick up from opposite the Oxford railway complex. They run every 15 to 20 minutes and you have to ask them to put you off at Hill End just before Farmoor.
At Hill End -
Park your car before the gate on the grass and walk in. The first building that you see are the Robinson dormitories and then to your left as you look up the car park is the "Blue Dragon" building. Any meetings will be in there or go through the 5 bar gate at the bottom of the car park, walk across the field and look for people in the buildings on the right hand side.
This page was last updated in February 2008