reflections on the 2026 supertroop holiday from a first-time helper, Toby Llewellyn
My time on SuperTroop, though only my first year as a helper, was incredibly special. Having the chance to see and play a part in the kids with learning disabilities enjoying a fun residential holiday, where everything was care-centred and totally 1:1, and seeing them laugh, smile, and be happy was truly rewarding.
Going on off-campus trips (like trampolining, East Links, the Zoo, the Yard, the Museum) and having activities on-campus (singing, swimming, sport, art, decorating), meant there was always something exciting to do, and choice for each kid to do what suited them. In my eyes, SuperTroop makes the experience of each kid’s holiday individual to what they enjoy and require – whether this be food or activities, but especially for their additional needs – and all from the perspective of fun, safety, and respect. I saw the kids really benefitted from this because it meant they all had the best time they could. I liked the fact that helpers were immersed in the holiday from day one, allowing us to form a bond with our bedtime kids and other holiday-makers. This relationship and trust strengthened with my bedtime kid as the week progressed, something I found really meaningful.
While an honourable mention for my favourite moment would be the laughter of Susanna as she greatly enjoyed me bouncing her up and down endlessly on the East Links trampoline, what really struck me as what makes SuperTroop so special and unique was at the end of the week when the holiday-makers got picked up by their parents. Seeing how much of an impact the week had for the parents of the holiday-makers showed me the true meaning of ‘respite’. It really moved me to see them read my bedtime kid’s diary, which documented all the different things he had enjoyed getting up to each day. All the while, it had given them a rest while still knowing he could still be safe and happy.
Though spending a week looking after children with learning disabilities was something totally new to me and felt daunting being outside of my comfort zone, my nerves were quickly put to ease. The team of group leaders and senior team meant I wasn’t alone and could always ask for help which felt really reassuring. The group leaders all worked so hard to check up on the helpers to offer a hand, or a break, which was something I found encouraging as it allowed me to become far more confident in how to handle challenging situations.
The senior team put in an especially huge amount of effort, not only for the holiday week, but all year round to make SuperTroop an enormous and enjoyable success. When it was the turn of our group to make a song for the evening singsong, we chose to put emphasis on thanking them for this reason. The Nurses, Families Team, Diabetes Team, Timetable Team, Fettes Team and all-round heroes – although they play various roles, the example of care and effort they all set was incredibly inspiring. At the goodbyes on the last day, it really made me think – all these volunteers give up time and effort for SuperTroop, and I don’t think words really do their incredible effort justice.