A GROUP of adults with acquired brain injury enjoyed a holiday on the Isle of Wight thanks to a Southampton charity.

Headway Southampton organised the three night holiday for 14 adults, who were supported by four staff and a volunteer cook.

They visited Osborne House and marvelled at the opulent ceilings and extravagant dining room; soaked up the sun at the Ventnor Botanic Gardens and even enjoyed a soak in a hot tub.

"Each year a group of staff and service users chooses a destination and plans a holiday," said deputy manager Jo Hillier.

"This is an opportunity for our service users to relax together, support and get to know each other, to grow in independence, experience new things and to generally enjoy being part of a group.

"Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and appreciated the opportunity to spend time together and build friendships," she added.

The service users enjoyed the chance to go somewhere else and the sense of community on the trip.

"It was nice to get away and have a break. It was strange going back home as all that week we were having dinner altogether, and then I was back home on my own," said service user Sylvia Rooney.

Fellow service user Jamie Macdonald added: "It was nice to see the history on your doorstep, and it was great to spend time with people you normally only see during the day."

Headway Southampton is now raising funds for next year's holiday in West Sussex.

You can help Headway Southampton get the funding they need for next year's holiday by visiting foundation.onefamily.com/community-awards , search for 'Headway Holiday' and vote for them. If they get enough votes they will be awarded £5000 of funding to make the holiday happen.