18/1/2005 - Shared care competition winner gets weekend at Center Parcs : Cumbria County Council

Shared care competition winner, Amanda Davis is to receive a weekend away at Center Parcs in Penrith, with £100 spending money from Cumbria County Council. Last year, Cumbria County Council ran a competition in the run up to shared care week to raise awareness about the shared care scheme.

Flyers, providing information about the scheme were circulated across the county. Anyone who received a flyer was asked to read it, sign it, then pass it on to either a friend, relation or colleague who may be interested in joining the scheme. Anyone who signed their name were entered into a prize draw.

Amanda, who has won this fantastic prize will be going to Center Parcs for her weekend break on Friday 21st January along with her husband and three children.

Center Parcs has kindly given the county council the weekend at a reduced rate. The county council is also giving Amanda and her family £100 spending money.

County councillor John Mallinson, cabinet spokesman for care and social services said:

"The shared care scheme provides respite care to local families and children with disabilities. It gives the children new experiences and new friends while their families get a break from caring full time. It is an important initiative to support vulnerable people and their carers in our local communities. Last year the county council wanted to raise awareness of the scheme to as many people across the county as they could and encourage more people to get involved. We decided to not only issue the flyers providing lots of information about the scheme but also offer free entry into a fantastic prize draw. I would like to thank Center Parcs for giving us this weekend prize at a reduced rate. I am sure Amanda and her family will have a great time."

Amanda, from Kendal, is looking forward to the weekend. She said:

"I am absolutely thrilled that I have won this fantastic prize. My family are really looking forward to it. I received the flyer that was being distributed to raise awareness about the county council's shared care scheme. I didn't know much about it but after reading the information I was eager to learn more. I have passed on the information to friends and family, it’s a really good scheme and the more people who know about it the better. I have three very small children so I would find it difficult being a carer at the moment but it has really made me think about what I could give to some of the families out there that need help with respite. I would definitely consider joining the scheme in the future once my children are a little older."

Anyone who enjoys being with children, whether male or female, single or a couple, and have time to give can apply to be a carer on the shared care scheme. Experience with disability is not essential as Cumbria County Council's family placement teams gives training and support. For more information, please call your local family placement office: