AFIA (Away from it All)

Away from it All  (AFIA) in Newcastle Diocese

Away From It All (AFIA) is a Mothers’ Union holiday scheme, primarily funded by our members, to give the opportunity of a break to those who may be experiencing stress or difficulties in their family life. Families are able to spend time together away from their stressful situations at home, engage in activities together and have fun. They often experience healing in their relationships by spending this quality time with each other.

AFIA Holidays in Newcastle Diocese

Mothers’ Union in Newcastle Diocese has always worked with outside agencies whose aims and values fit in with our own. This year our AFIA support will be given to a new partner, ReNEw North East, who organise holidays for families in need. John and Lena Stephenson from ReNEw gave us a very interesting talk about the work of the Charity at Diocesan Council in April. ReNEw is a Christian Charity which support young families in the North East.

2025 AFIA (Away from it All) Holidays

AFIA holidays 2025

We often feel anxious when trying out new things, for example our AIFA Holidays.  This year we worked with ReNew and their Family Group Holiday, giving holidays to 7 families (27 people).

I have received some lovely “thank you’s” from people we have helped this year.  The ReNew Family Group had an amazing time.  The weather was good and the group knitted together in fellowship.  They enjoyed climbing and archery with instructors assisting to improve their skills.  A visit to Edinburgh Zoo proved most educational.  This extract comes from a rural family.

“I really appreciated all the kindness, dedication and work of the team to provide for our activities and food and trips.  I enjoyed spending time with my daughter away from everyday life.  It was great to do activities like climbing and swimming slide together.  She really enjoyed the zoo, which is something we haven’t done before due to distance from our remote location – I find that organising stuff like that is quite stressful compared to our quiet farm life!  I was reminded that it brings me joy to spend quality time with the children and going home I have tried to prioritise that again and think about how, as they get older, I can stay connected with them.  It was good for us to be with other families because at regular church we are often the only family with youngish children.  I was able to see that even though my daughter finds it hard to make friends her own age, she is good with younger ones and I could enjoy seeing that.”

We helped another family after the father had a stroke and had spent weeks in hospital.  The very generous donation of a raffle prize of a voucher for Sunday Lunch at the Mary Sumner Day lunch found its way to them.  The mother told me how it helped to take the family out for a lovely meal at the Snowy Owl and how much they all appreciated it after having a traumatic time and such an unsure future.  I was equally proud of the Branch who helped send a class from their local small rural school to visit our Cathedral.

Margy Tasker-Brown

Away from it All (AFIA) Holidays 2023

In 2023 we concentrated on helping families where at least one of the children has a disability. The sponsorship money from Sheila Auld’s trip has helped fund several such holidays, along with grants and money raised throughout the year by other branches and members.
The family shown here particularly enjoyed their holiday and wanted us to know about the difference it had made, particularly, to their nonverbal son.
During the latter part of the year, we have concentrated on Awaydays for groups of families, and Christmas events.
Sadly our AFIA rep, Margaret Crawforth, is retiring from the role. She has enabled and supported hundreds of holidays and Awaydays over the years, working with many families to get them just the kind of holiday which they need. She has had good relationships with several local charities to support their work by providing holidays and Awaydays for their clients. We, and they, are very grateful!  Diana MacNaughton

Rev Auld takes the bus to raise Funds for AFIA

Rev Sheila Auld is travelling from Newcastle to Chichester by bus and raising money for Away From It All Holidays ( AFIA)

Sheila sets off	On the bus to Durham	Lovely stay & meal in Ripon with President of Ripon Area in diocese of Leeds
Quick look round Ripon Cathedral	On her way again via Harrogate.	Met at Rotherham bus station by President of Sheffield MU
Sheila's host for the night in Rotherham Whiston Branch Coordinator, Margaret.	A day in Coventry and then off to Swindon