Have you got what it takes to really care?

CARING for a disabled child is a full time job which is both exhausting and rewarding.

Parents and families can neglect themselves to ensure they give all the love that is needed.

Carers who need a break can turn to Oldham Family Link Service, who can take over for an evening to a week.

But volunteers are desperately needed.

During Share the Care Week reporter BEATRIZ AYALA speaks to an Oldham family and volunteer.“

GEORGE is 13 and really friendly and funny,” said Oldham Family Link carer Sherree McCabe.

“Just a typical teenage boy, he never stops eating and sleeps like a log when he stays over.”

Sherree, from Howgill Crescent, Copthorn Park, has been caring for George Shirtcliffe over the past three years.

The 28-year-old always wanted to volunteer with children so caring for George one or two nights a month as well as an evening a week proved perfect.

She said: “He is a lively boy who suffers from epilepsy, global development delay and learning difficulties.

“He needs 24-hour care and is not aware of certain things like danger, but he is gorgeous and we got on straight away.

“I pick him up from school on Tuesdays and every month, I’ll have him stay over on a Friday night.

“I get on really well with his mum Jacqui and in turn both she and George have helped me through some difficult times.”

The rehabilitation worker decided to volunteer after spotting an advert about the Oldham Family Link Scheme and national short breaks charity Shared Care Network.

The scheme provides short breaks for disabled children by linking them with a family link carer who can look after a disabled child in their own home on a regular basis.

The children who need short breaks come from a range of backgrounds and are between five and 18. They may have physical or learning disabilities, sensory impairments or autism.

Carers undergo training and checks before being approved and meeting with a suitable child and their family.

Sherree said: “We did the training an evening a week and when I knew I would be caring for George, I put together a portfolio with pictures before visiting him.

“After a couple of months, he was ready to stay the night, which he has been doing regularly.”

After three years, Sherree sees George as a member of her own family and said she will be a volunteer carer for as long as possible.

She said: “You need to give up some of your spare time for training, which continues throughout your caring.

“You also need to be patient, kind and outgoing, but you don’t need qualifications.

“My sister is training to become a carer too and I would definitely recommend it.

“I can’t see a time when I will stop volunteering, George is part of my family now.”

George’s mum Jacqui Helliwell (49), from Queen Street, Shaw, admits she was cautious about respite care before meeting Sherree.

She said: “I’d been told about respite care but I felt that George needed one-to-one care and I’d always relied on close friends and family.

“When I learned that one person or a couple would be looking after George as part of the Oldham Family Link Scheme, I felt that was more suitable. But it was when I met Sherree and we got to know each other that I felt really happy to let George stay over.

“The first time he did, I was nervous because he had never been away from me or his older sister and brother.

“But the way George took to Sherree, you could see the care and love.”

Jacqui said she looks forward to her monthly break to do things for herself.

She said: “People say to me that I have it hard but because I’m there with George 24/7, you just take it in your stride. I’ve never had that freedom where if I want to go to the shops at 6pm then I can.

“Now when Sherree takes George, I can plan things like going to see my friends, go clothes shopping or just sit on the sofa and have the house to myself.

“It’s the little things that mean a lot, and it means I can get a bit of myself back with the comfort of knowing George is safe.

“Sherree is like part of the family now, and I’m really glad it has worked out like this.

“The service works really hard to find the right person for the right child, and I would recommend it to anyone.”


BENEFITS TO THE CARER
They will:

- make a real difference to the lives of disabled children and their families

- develop friendships both with the child and their family

- gain valuable experience caring for children

- get an allowance

- have a dedicated family link worker to provide ongoing training and support.


HOW DO PEOPLE BECOME FAMILY LINK CARERS?
The six month process:
Step 1 Initial enquiry

Step 2 Home visit to talk about the scheme

Step 3 Fill and return an application form

Step 4 Background checks and references, including CRB

Step 5 Attend preparation training

Step 6 Assessment, after which a report is compiled.

Step 7 Oldham Fostering Panel approve successful candidates

Step 8 Introduction and gradual link to a child and family

Step 9 Short breaks arranged once everyone is ready


Good sorts needed

Oldham Family Link Scheme, part of Oldham Fostering Service, is taking part in the national campaign to recruit 7,000 new short break carers.

In Oldham, there are 18 children enjoying short breaks but a further seven are waiting for a family link carer and even more could benefit if more carers came forward.

There is a desperate need for new carers who can provide day care, overnight stays, weekend stays and occasional full week breaks.

Oldhamers of any age, background, marital and family status can become volunteers.

People can live in all kinds of homes, may or may not have children of their own and may or may not have had experience of working with disabled children.

All applicants go through an approval process similar to that undertaken by foster carers, but help and support is given every step of the way.

Mair Felix, Oldham’s Family Link co-ordinator, said: “If you can care for a disabled child during the day, or offer overnight or weekend stays, then we would love to hear from you.

“Don’t worry, there is no such thing as a typical carer, just people who enjoy children’s company and who are flexible, and are able to put the needs of the child first.”