Children’s Charity Edinburgh | Respite Breaks

Welcome

HopScotch Children’s Charity provides respite breaks for children in Scotland. It is our mission to give children a break from challenging and stressful home environments, and provide a welcoming and nurturing setting for them to create and develop good childhood memories.

Since 1998 we have run an annual programme of respite breaks from Ardvullin, our holiday centre in the Scottish Highlands. To date 6564 children have benefitted from having a HopScotch holiday, and each year the range of experiences and activities we are able to provide continues to grow.

"The children gained a lot of new skills on the HopScotch holiday, they tried many new activities and became more confident. Some of the children had not been away from home before and these children coped incredibly well."

Waverley Care
"Thank you so much for providing such an amazing opportunity for the children we work with. We are so grateful to be involved with HopScotch and each child we have taken over the years has loved it and benefitted greatly."

Glasgow Women's Aid
"The holiday allowed us to build on our relationship with every child. We were able to get to know them better and gain their trust."

Glenboig Neighbourhood House
"From a young carers point of view the HopScotch holiday is a fantastic respite break from their home responsibilities. The children had amazing new experiences in a beautiful, comfortable setting and developed new friendships, new skills and laughed - a lot!"

Fife Young Carers

Johnny aged 10

“I loved our HopScotch holiday because everything is really, really nice and all of the activities give me a chance to do something I have never done before, so thank you so so much. I really truly love HopScotch.”
Shannon aged 8

“I liked going on the speed boat because it was great and fun. I liked the dressing up clothes – thank you for letting me stay, it was exciting. Anna is nice.”
Murran aged 10

“I did lots of exciting thinglike hill climbing, walking in the forest, canoeing and lots more. I loved the big massive swing park out the back garden. My favourite part of the full week was when I made it to the top of the hill and the snow was really really deep. I loved my HopScotch holiday I don’t want to leave.”
Kia

“It was brilliant, the chocolate factory and the horse riding was the best and the stories at night. If HopScotch was a story I would tear out the last page so we can stay here forever.”
Megan aged 9

“I liked the horse-riding because I felt very confident and brave and the horse was very calm.”
Cameron

“It was really fun. I liked all the activities so thank you for this wonderful holiday. I wish it would never end.”
Elisha

"I love HopScotch, it's the best place ever, I will miss it so much. It has a beautiful garden and house and activities that I will never forget. Thanks for the diary and hat. PS I loved the bus!"