“Heartbreak” for Families as Wales’ Unique SEND Holiday Caravans Face Closure

What is believed to be Wales’ only set of holiday caravans specifically adapted for children with additional needs could be forced to close within a few years because of a park rule that limits caravan age. The colourful, specialist units — known as the Sen-Den — are owned and run by mother-of-six Niaomi Flewers at Trecco Bay Holiday Park in Porthcawl, Bridgend County.

The adjustments made inside the Sen-Den caravan [Niaomi Flewers]

Background

Flewers, 39, who is herself neurodivergent, started the Sen-Den project in 2022 after struggling to find suitable breaks for her own family. What began as a single caravan bought for her children grew into a small family-run service as other families contacted her after seeing photos online. At its peak she owned four caravans; demand was so high bookings were made up to two years in advance.

The caravans have been adapted to make them safe and suitable for children with additional needs [Niaomi Flewers]

Adaptations and Impact

The caravans have been adapted to provide a safe, low-anxiety holiday environment for neurodivergent children. Features include locked doors, alarmed windows, padded safe beds, indoor sensory areas, sensory lighting and equipment, and even an indoor trampoline. Families say the space lets children enjoy new experiences without the overwhelming stress many face on typical breaks.

Two of Niaomi's children who have helped her carry on with the project [Niaomi Flewers]

“It's the first time I saw my child be away from home somewhere that's completely new and unfamiliar and smile,”

— a parent describing her seven-year-old daughter's stay at the Sen-Den.

Financial Challenge

The park enforces a policy that individual static caravans may remain on site for a maximum of 15 years before they must be replaced. Flewers estimates it will cost about £60,000 to replace the two remaining caravans that are currently providing SEND respite: one has approximately two years left and the other around three. She says ground rent alone costs about £8,000 per caravan annually, and specialised sensory kit can cost hundreds to replace. Because the service is run voluntarily and all income is reinvested into upkeep, the rising costs forced her to scale back to two caravans.

Laura and her daughter Carys who is autistic and non-verbal stayed at the caravans [Laura]

Community Work and Reach

Beyond the caravans, Flewers runs a large Facebook community of roughly 112,000 followers, gives away sensory items, and operates a SEND pen-pal programme to reduce isolation among carers and children. Her eight-year-old daughter also creates autism-and-friendship bags and teddy bear kits to support visiting families.

Park Response and What’s Next

Trecco Bay Holiday Park said it recognises the positive impact of the Sen-Den and would like the provision to continue, but stressed the replacement policy applies to all owners across the park’s roughly 2,000 caravans. The park added that it works closely with owners to explain policy and options as they plan for the future.

Flewers warns that if the caravans close, many families across Wales will lose an unusually accessible holiday option. She described the possibility of closure as “going to break my heart,” and appealed to the community for support to keep the project going.

How People Can Help

Those wanting to help could contact Flewers via the Sen-Den Facebook community or explore fundraising and grant options geared toward disability-accessible holiday provision. Continued local awareness and support could be crucial to securing funding or partnerships to replace the units before they reach the 15-year limit.