Falcon Holidays

Sheldon Road Church has been involved with Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) Falcon Holidays since 2002. We take disadvantaged and behaviourally challenging youngsters on a residential holiday each year with a ratio of 1.5 youngster per adult.

The young people have been engaging and have had fun in so many activities. New friendships, new skills and knowledge have been gained in these weeks by members and leaders alike. From the apprehension on arrival to the tears of joy and disappointment of leaving a Falcon Holiday many emotions have been experienced by members and leaders.

We manage to provide a varied programme with worship included each day. For many youngsters this is their first encounter with Christians and a new introduction to a life with Jesus.

We also owe a big debt of thanks to the leaders who have given time, money and holiday time to help on the Falcon Holidays, and to CPAS who make all that we do possible. We endeavour to be fully funded so that no youngster will be excluded due financial difficulties at home. In past years we have received funding from several churches including SRMC and St Andrews Clevedon, whilst Chippenham Circuit and the Bristol Methodist District have in the past supported the work.

In recent years we have introduced days out so that new members can meet existing members prior to going on a residential. We have taken over 90 youngsters and family members to Longleat, Noah's Arc Zoo, Crealy Theme Park, Mill on the Brue and other smaller attractions. Together with Heals we have engaged in a summer programme of activities and now a regular trip to the Pantomime.

Due to the fact that many of our families have several children and we now try to do activities around the year together with the residential holiday, we are engaging with the families on a regular basis and this helps strengthen our introduction of Jesus into all of their lives.