Host Family Information
Each Host Family will be expected to follow these guidelines: -
All children are expected to take part in all trips organised by the program committee unless the Chairman has granted exemption.
Children should be dropped off and picked up at the times listed on the program.
If a Host Family cannot meet these arrangements they should notify the Chairman for that particular day giving as much advance warning as possible.
Host Families must ensure the child has the necessary items with them each day as clearly marked on the weekly program.
The Host Family is responsible for ensuring each child's luggage does not exceed the limits set by the airline.
Excess luggage is expensive and Breaches the charity's aims, so Host Families will be asked to Pay for any such financial Penalties.
Host Families must immediately report any accidents or ill health to the Interpreter & the Group Chairman.
Only those listed on the Host Family form are expected to be resident in the home during the period of the visit.
Any exceptions must be reported to the Chairman & approved in advance.

All Group Members must gain enhanced CRB clearance & personal references. Group Registration form to be completed annually.
All group Members to follow the groups' Risk Assessment policy.

All Host Families must seek the approval of the Chair before making any arrangements for visits outside the groups' organised visit program.

The safety and well being of the children is paramount to our organisation.

We are a self-financing organisation & encourage Members to help in the raising of funds for each years visit.

Chernobyl Disaster
26th April. 1986 Reactor No.4 of the Chernobyl Nuclear power station in the Ukraine exploded, causing 70% of the radioactive contamination  (90 times worse than Hiroshima or Nagasaki) to fall on the neighbouring country of Belarus, contaminating nearly a quarter of its land area and affecting almost a quarter of its population, including 400,000 children.
      In the years following the radioactive contamination from the disaster, young children began to contract cancer of the thyroid gland.  This type of cancer is very aggressive and soon spreads to other parts of the body if not dealt with.  The operation to remove the thyroid is relatively straightforward but complete removal requires the patient to take drugs for a considerable time afterwards but sufficient quantities of the drugs are not always available.
      Young children in puberty were considered most at risk.  Their bodies are growing quickly at that age and as a result absorb radioactivity more quickly. 
      It was considered by medical authorities that to remove children in puberty away from the constant low level radiation in which they live, for periods up to four weeks, would help to reduce the amount of radiation in their bodies and strengthen their immune systems so that they would be more able to withstand infection and disease, especially during the harsh winter months.