Rehabilitation - Burn Clubs & Camps

What are burn clubs and camps?

Burn clubs and camps are an opportunity for young people who have suffered burn injuries, to meet others, share experiences and improve self esteem. Clubs usually offer a range of activities ranging from day events to a residential camp experience offering a variety of challenging, creative, socialising and fun activities. This focus on physical challenges is based on evidence that if young people with scars, who may not feel good about how their bodies look, can feel good about what their bodies can do, then this helps them have a better body image and higher self esteem.

History of clubs and camps in the U.K.

Burns camps are already well established in the USA, and began to develop in the UK in the 1990’s, where they are gradually gaining recognition in their contribution towards the psycho-social rehabilitation of burn injured young people.

Funding position

All clubs and camps are at present funded without NHS support, through donations and fund raising efforts. A variety of volunteers are drawn from both NHS and non-NHS backgrounds. Roles are not usually part of job descriptions, although some NHS staff may be granted study leave to assist with events.

Burn Care Review recommendations

Burn care review recommendations are supporting the development of burn club and camp programmes as a necessary aspect of burn rehabilitation. NHS funding is also being proposed.

Burn clubs / camps in the U.K.

‘The Burns Family Group’ – Chelsea & Westminster, London Day events

A number of other burn centres in the UK, are able to participate in events organised by established clubs and camps.

Links with other organisations

Several burn clubs have developed close working relationships with local fire services, both for support with fund- raising, and volunteers for burn camps and other club events.

Close links have developed with the ‘Children’s Fire and Burns Trust’ charity organisation in London. The trust has been involved in raising funds for regional and national events, starter funds for clubs, and has facilitated information sharing and training opportunities.

‘Changing Faces’ organisation has been involved in providing activities centred on psycho-social issues.

U.K. Association of Burn Camps & Clubs

Work is being undertaken to develop a U.K. Association of burn clubs and camps, to which burn centres and other burn related organisations can be affiliated. Standards are being developed for the setting up and running of club and camp programmes.

The European / International picture

The International Association of burn camps has established bylaws and membership criteria, and holds bi-annual workshops in the USA. Membership of the association and attendance at the workshops is open to UK clubs and camps.
The European Burns Association has a burn camp committee. Although a number of European camps have been held in the past, the committee’s role in recent years has been to pro-actively encourage European burn centres in setting up regional / national camps.

Burn Camp Jamborees

National burn camp jamboree events were held in 2001 and 2002, with all burn centres in the UK invited to participate. A further event is planned for October 2003 and will be facilitated by the ‘Children’s Fire and Burns Trust ‘Charity.

Young Leader Training Programmes

A young leader training programme has been developed by the Manchester Burns Club to facilitate the progression from burn camp participant to a leader role. The programme is being adopted by other burn clubs, and it is proposed this should be implemented nationally.

Evaluation of Clubs and Camps

Significant clinical qualitative evidence has been collected to support the value of clubs and camps. Quantitative data is currently being gathered.