Want To Join
In 2025?
What's Involved?
There are 3 major elements that make up a helper's role.
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1. Training
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2. Fundraising​
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3. On Tour
Training
Due to the nature of what we are doing, we take great care in preparing everyone for the task in hand. We will do 2 training weekends, the main focus of which is to gel the group and to prepare us all for the trip. We cover everything from safeguarding to individual child care needs to make sure we feel prepared when taking the kids on holiday.
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We ensure that everyone has the opportunity to ask any and every question. The weekends are great fun and give a sense of what it will be like in Lourdes.
Fundraising
“Money should never be a barrier to coming to Lourdes with Group 3”
Fundraising is key to being part of Group 3 and your commitment is essential but remember, we are here to help!!!
There are two elements to this and they are: your own fare; and the fare of a Child.
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Helper’s Fares
Helpers are asked to pay for their own fare (it was £817 in 2024). HCPT can help with this, offering subsidies to those who need it. This is dependent on your circumstances and is looked at individually.
The fare includes: travel; all meals; trips; and Café stops - the only extra money you need is for the odd drink in the evening. How you pay for this is up to you – some fundraise for their fare and others, just pay for it.
Kids' Fares
As a group, we fundraise to raise enough for the children to go (about £1000 per child). We set individual fundraising targets and give you all the support you need to achieve these!
We have various Group initiatives, such as Christmas or Race Week bucket collections and the HCPT Raffle, to get involved in. And individual fundraising takes many forms like sponsored events, dinner parties, pub quizzes or reaching out to churches to support. But really, whatever idea you come up with will be amazing!
WE ARE HERE TO HELP - WHAT MATTERS IS YOUR COMMITMENT!
Please be assured that we have never missed our targets!
On Tour
And lastly, what actually happens when you’re out there...
Take a look here for an idea of what activities we do.
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A Day in the Life of a Group 3 Helper
7.30am – Wake up call, greeted by a cup of tea or coffee
7.45 - Get the kids up, dressed and ready for the day
8.15 - Morning Prayer
8.30 - Breakfast
9.15 - Last minute rush to nip to the toilet or grab a coat
9.30 - Out for our morning activity
1pm – Back to the hotel for lunch
2pm – Back out for our afternoon activity – at some point, we would probably have a rather noisy café stop, complete with lots of singing!
6pm - Back to the hotel to shower the kids and get them into PJ’s
7pm - Dinner
8 – Quiet Time – a reflective period, often accompanied by some gentle singing and prayer before bed
8.30 - Get the kids to bed
9 – Helpers' Meeting – discuss the day, highlight and resolve any issues, plan for tomorrow
10 – Babysitting Rota kicks in – 4 helpers stay behind to watch the kids. Everyone else – free to go out and enjoy a few drinks before hitting the hay!
Christianity
You don’t have to be a Christian; in fact, on average, there are around 50% of the group who are not Christian. But, like with everything we do, we ask that you participate.
Our Holiday is just that, a holiday, which is underpinned with Christianity.
We participate in 2 Masses and have 2 informal Group 3 services at other times.
We start the morning with a prayer and close the day with a “Quiet Time” which is more of a meditational/story telling session designed to get the children ready for bed.
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Do helpers have to have any qualifications?No. Our helpers come from a whole host of backgrounds. Previous experience is not necessary and we welcome people from all walks of life.
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What is the time commitment?There are two obligatory Training/Fundraising Weekends, usually taking place in January and March. In order for us to be able to rely on each other in Lourdes we must get to know each other well. This is also a good opportunity for us to collectively fundraise for the group. They are very informal and are often a good laugh! The week itself always starts on Easter Saturday and we fly back to the UK sometime on the following Saturday. It is a pretty full-on week but one that is life-changing.
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Are all your helpers religious?No, not at all. Around half our helpers are Christian, but all we ask is that you accept that prayer and praise form an important part of our pilgrimage and that you are prepared to take part in this, however you would never be asked to do something you are not comfortable with.
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Who pays for the trip?Please see the Fundraising Section above.
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I’ve not got any experience with disabled children. I’m nervous.Many of our helpers have not had experience with disabled children – you are not the first. You may feel a little apprehensive to begin with but you will soon feel relaxed and able to join in the fun! During the training weekends, there is the opportunity to meet the children and get to know them a little. Group 3 is a hugely supportive group and we recognise that this is outside some people’s comfort zone – we will never ask you to do something you’re not comfortable with and you are able to ask any question, any time.
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Can I use it as part of my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award?Yes. We are a certified and you can use us for your Duke of Edinburgh Residential.
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I am under 18, am I too young?Nope. We welcome anyone from the age of 16 upwards - so long as you are fit and able to meet a physically demanding week, you’re welcome!