Over The Wall Camp, has started construction work to create a place where children with long-term health conditions can rediscover the mischief and magic of childhood.
In 2024, OTWC secured a lease for the former Ockbrook School near Derby, which closed in June 2021. The charity’s permanent base will be the first camp of its kind in the country, and alongside its clinical facilities will feature exciting recreational facilities including an adventure park and amphitheatre.
The first phase of the work involves creating wheelchair-accessible accommodation and communal spaces, ready to welcome children and families in summer 2026.
Creating mischief and magic
Over The Wall Camp provides free-of-charge residential and virtual camps for children aged 8-17 years with long-term health conditions and disabilities, as well as camps for their families. These camps empower children and families to explore new possibilities and rediscover the fun and magic of childhood, while addressing the isolation and low self-confidence that often accompany childhood illness. Children can enjoy a wide range of fun activities, supported by volunteers and staff, including a medical team of doctors, nurses, and paramedics.
Celebrating the start of camp construction
Helping to celebrate the charity’s exciting milestone by visiting the new site were the Medunecki family from Mansfield. Lukass, 13 is living with multiple tumours in his head and spinal cord. He and his sister, Milana, 11, came to an Over The Wall Camp residential this summer.
“Camp was very fun and exciting,” Lukass shared. “It made me feel like I was free from all my worries. I will always remember the people who made it such a special time for me and others.”
Milana described camp as ‘an amazing opportunity with incredible experiences’.
“Camp made me feel resilient and included. I will always remember all the friends I made along the way, and the volunteers that helped and supported me.”
A word from CEO, Kevin Mathieson
“We currently support up to 1,000 children and families a year, covering more than 130 different illnesses and conditions.
“With our new Ockbrook site, we can quadruple this number of beneficiaries, offer camps for children with more complex and diverse health challenges, and trial new programmes.
“We’re really excited to see all our plans and ideas start to become reality. It will be wonderful to see the looks of joy on campers’ faces and hear laughter, music, and chatter around the site next summer.”