Over the Wall is a UK registered charity providing residential activity camps for children and teenagers facing serious health challenges, free of charge.

If your child is aged 8 to 17 years old and is living in the UK, and is currently receiving treatment or experiencing the challenges of a serious illness, or is a sibling of someone who is, then get in touch with us so ECHO can assist with a referral to Over the Wall.

ECHO is pleased to sponsor places for some of our younger members to take part in these amazing camps and hope that more children and young people come forward for places in the future.

It was scary sending her off to the camp, she has never been on a school trip or anything but when she came back she was over the moon and so confident, she had an amazing time and can’t wait to return next year.

About Over the Wall (OTW)

Under the direction of a senior and experienced nurse, “home from home” care, which includes medication administration and necessary care, is provided by a highly skilled team of volunteer nurses and doctors, ensuring there is a safe environment for children affected by illness to kick back and have fun. OTW try very hard to keep the medical aspects of camp as ‘low profile’ as possible; camp is about campers having fun and not being defined by their medical conditions. Through a wide range of high and low energy activities, including arts and crafts, drama, archery, talent night, disco, and many more, OTW’s goal is to ensure that campers gain, or regain, confidence and skills and an understanding of their own abilities. All activities are supervised by qualified instructors and necessary safety equipment is in place at all times.

I didn't know what to expect and I don't think you could expect what you get to do but I loved it and have been three times, when I am 18 I can't wait to volunteer.

Who can go?

To ensure the children are able to benefit fully from the OTW camp programme, they must also:

• have the physical ability to participate in an action packed activity programme with a range of high and low energy activities
• have the social and emotional ability to participate in a group setting and team activities with children of their own age
  be able to communicate their needs independently
  be able to transfer from chair to bed and chair to floor independently if they use a wheelchair

Unfortunately, they are unable to accept campers who:

✗  have Cystic Fibrosis (due to the risk of infection to campers with weakened immune systems)
✗ are more than 3 years off treatment and do not have any ongoing health challenges
✗ have recognised behavioural issues (eg ADHD, Autistic Spectrum Disorders, self harm)
✗ need overnight care/intervention/monitoring, or health care needs that require constant one to one support

If you have any questions about the eligibility of any children you have in mind, please just ask us – we are happy to talk through the referral with you and discuss your child’s ability to take part. These are fully supported camps and feedback from children and parents who have been is amazing.

To refer your child please e-mail hello@echo-uk.org

• More info about Over the Wall