Peter, (not his real name), 41, lives with his mother. He has a learning disability and a mental age of about seven. His mother, 65 has cared for him all her life.

Until Yellow Submarine Holidays supported Peter to go on a group holiday to Blackpool last October his mother had never had a proper break from caring for him. Nor had Peter ever had a chance to spend a sustained period of time away from his family, co-habiting with friends of his own age, looking after himself and developing his social and life skills.

Yellow Submarine Holidays, is a charity that has recently started work in Oxfordshire enabling people with learning disabilities and indirectly their families or carers to benefit from respite breaks. The charity provides a safe holiday environment giving parents confidence and usually takes a group of five people with disabilities away together. All holidays are led by trained and experienced staff aided by volunteers. The group aims to provide a natural holiday environment, choosing not to use sterile care homes, but making a great point of staying in typical, but often breathtaking holiday cottages, usually rented from the National Trust.

The cottages typically have large kitchens and living spaces used to instigate co-operation and mutual support and holidayers are encouraged to plan their meals, contribute to shopping and preparing or cooking meals based on their abilities. Everyone is supported on the holidays to learn new skills, express themselves and learn how to look after both themselves and one another. Ellen, the mother of Katy, who recently came on one of the holidays said: “It is very useful; at last someone providing holidays for people with special needs. Katy loves choosing which holiday she would like to go on. The holidays also make her feel independent, and build her confidence so that she can cope away from home.”

As the cost of these holidays is quite substantial and often those most in need cannot afford them, the group relies on the help of volunteers and financial donations.

To make a donation, become a volunteer, or know someone who you think would benefit from this help, please visit www.yellowsubmarine.org.uk or call Toby Staveley on 01993 822 098. You can also donate by texting YSUB22 £5 (or any amount up to £10) to 70070.

If you are interested in contributing to this column contact OCVA (Oxfordshire Community and Voluntary Action) by email at voluntaryvoice@ocva.org.uk or call Jackie Balchin on 01865 258915