Care at the Event

Hop Skip and Jump are delighted to once again be part of the internationally acclaimed Badminton Horse Trials! For the second year in succession HS&J will be providing care for children and young people with disabilities and special educational needs at the prestigious event.

‘Care at the Event’ is an innovative provision of flexible and immediate day care for anyone with additional needs, no matter how complex, in order that they and their families have the opportunity to enjoy a family day out. Badminton are again generously sponsoring our space so that families can enjoy a day at the horse trials without anxiety. The Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials is a world class event and, with more than 150,000 people expected at this year’s trials, it is a fantastic occasion at which to continue Hop Skip and Jump’s Care at the Event package.

The Hop Skip and Jump marquee will be situated next to the disabled car park where highly trained staff will welcome and care for all ages whatever their disability. There will be a wet room and a variety of activities, as well as a screen showing the dressage, cross-country and show jumping.

Chairman of Hop Skip and Jump, the Reverend Celia Carter confirmed “It is our wish for families who care for all those with a disability to be given the opportunity to enjoy a special day out at Badminton. Our staff will help provide hours of fun and laughter, while the family are free to walk the course, watch the show jumping and dressage as well as visit the shops. We are thrilled that the Mitsubishi Motors Badminton Horse Trials has had the vision to provide this facility in conjunction with Hop Skip and Jump”.

Care at the Event has been developed from Care in the High Street, an initiative to provide high quality respite care in centrally located and easily accessible spaces such as shopping centres and football stadiums. Our concept was launched at a prestigious event hosted by Samantha Cameron at Ten Downing Street. Shortly after the first Care in the High Street was opened by Hop Skip and Jump Patron Elizabeth Hurley in the Brunel shopping centre in central Swindon, with an additional centre opened in 2015 by Samantha Cameron. Care at the Event is the first of its type at an international sporting event and presents an exciting development in respite care. Hop Skip and Jump is delighted to be pioneering such a vital facility at this esteemed festival.

Badminton Event Director Hugh Thomas said “We were very excited when Hop Skip and Jump approached us. To make our event more accessible to disabled and disadvantaged people and above all their carers is a great step forward”.