9/3/2010 - Short Break Carers across Cumbria urge others to get involved

A family from Egremont is urging people across the county to join them in enhancing the life of a disabled child and their family.

As part of Share the Care Week (07 to 15 March), a national initiative set up by Shared Care Network, Cumbria County Council is looking to recruit new short break carers. The Nancollis family, who have provided shared care, one of many forms of short breaks, for the past ten years, are urging others to do the same and plug the shortage that exists across the county.

Many parents of disabled children are waiting for opportunities to have breaks from caring, whilst wanting their children to have new and exciting experiences. Families are needed who can look after a child for an overnight stay, a weekend, school holidays or even just a few hours from time to time –on both a paid for and voluntary basis.

Alex Nancollis, 38, said ‘The county desperately needs more people to come forward to provide short breaks and look after a disabled child. Your time gives the parents a break and it also gives the children a different outlook on life.’ 

‘I would urge more people to take on this rewarding opportunity and become a shared carer or provide other short breaks to make a huge difference to the lives of disabled children and their families across Cumbria.’ 

She added ‘As a family with two young children of our own, we too take so many positive experiences from shared care. Our two girls look forward to their special visitors joining us and having another child in the house and it gives us the impetus we need to make the most of our weekends with lovely trips to the park, the beach and other such places.’ 

Susan Fox’s son Darren received breaks from the Nancollis family for a number of years. Commenting on the benefits she said; ‘The help and support we received from Alex and Ian was invaluable. Darren absolutely loved the time he spent with them; Ian would often take him to the football match and he still talks fondly about the times he went to see Liverpool play at Anfield.

‘For the rest of our family, the break allowed us to do things that, without it, would have been extremely difficult. My other son was a keen runner and attended competitions all over the country, so it was great to know I could go also and support him without worrying that Darren was frustrated having to travel all over.’

Darren, who is now 19, no longer requires shared care although Susan continues to be heavily involved in promoting its benefits. Susan, from Whitehaven, together with other parents of disabled children, set up a Parents’ Action Group.

The group meets regularly to discuss and advise on care provision in the area and to cascade information about help and support that is available.

Susan added; ‘I only wish that such groups had been available when Darren was growing up. What we need now is more shared carers and people providing short breaks so that more children can enjoy the experiences that Darren has enjoyed.’

Aiming High for Disabled Children is the government strategy for transforming services for disabled children and their families. Parents across Cumbria said that their number one priority was to have regular short breaks to enable them to continue to care for their disabled children. 

Moira Swann, Corporate Director for Children’s Services at Cumbria County Council said: "As part of Cumbria County Council’s Aiming High for Disabled Children agenda we have been working closely with disabled children and their families to understand exactly what they want out of short breaks and now have the infrastructure and funding in place to be able to totally transform our short break provision across the County. 

"As a result, there are many paid and voluntary opportunities working across a range of fulfilling roles within short breaks which will need to be filled in order to transform the lives of disabled children and their families."

If you don’t have the time or space to be a shared carer –there are other ways to become a short break carer. There is also a need for carers –paid or volunteers –to support disabled children and young people to access community activities, in their own homes, or in special youth clubs and holiday schemes. 

Anyone who would like to find out more about becoming a shared carer should call the recruitment team on:

Carlisle (01228) 227180

Workington (01900) 706356

Barrow` (01229) 407846

Kendal (01539) 713312

ENDS

Media enquiries to Media Officer Paul Bell on 01228 226337