Sharing the care

SHARE the Care Week is a national campaign aiming to recruit 7,000 new short break carers for disabled children and their families across the country.

Oldham Family Link Scheme, part of Oldham Fostering Service, is looking to recruit more people who can provide regular short breaks, overnight and weekend stays to disabled children in Oldham. Currently, 18 children in the borough are benefiting from the scheme but five disabled children are still waiting for a family link carer. Reporter BEATRIZ AYALA spoke to two Oldham families who have formed a close bond over one little girl.

WENDY Connolly (47) and husband Peter (48) know first hand how equally rewarding and demanding caring for a child with disabilities can be.

Parents of two boys, their eldest son Stephen is autistic and help for them was limited when he was growing up.

It was their experience as parents and their desire to help that spurred them on to become day carers to six-year-old Jordan Ryan.

Wendy said: “Our eldest lad Stephen is autistic and we didn’t have anything like this scheme available, we only had my mum.

“Stephen is now aged 21 and studying for a degree in PE at university so we became a little bit redundant.

“We had always had quite a busy role and, even though we work full-time, we decided to go for it and become carers.”

The application process took a year before they were approved as carers in May, 2009.

Wendy added: “We specified we wanted to care for a disabled child because we wanted to plug a potential caring gap.

“When we first met Jordan we took it slowly, meeting gradually.

“Since then, we’ve been building up to overnight stays with the aim of being able to take her over one weekend every fortnight.

“Jordan’s family are lovely and care for her so well.

“When she comes over, they get a break and so does she.”

Wendy said the one day a week looking after Jordan, who has epilepsy and complex learning difficulties, gives her own family some together time.

She said: “Sometimes we do things we used to do with Stephen like go into Manchester for a walk around the centre and catch the bus home. This week we took Jordan to watch our youngest lad Liam, who is 16, play rugby.

“It doesn’t have to be expensive, just normal things, we just see it as special time.

“For us, becoming carers means we get to reminisce as a family but it is also good to know other families are benefiting.

“Being a carer is something achievable even if you are working or have children of your own.

“You don’t lose your lifestyle when you become a carer because children like routines and structure.”

Fantastic

Jordan’s parents Julie and Noel Ryan said they believe the scheme is a much needed service in Oldham.

Julie said: “Jordan was quite poorly and Noel and I were tired all the time.

“It can be quite difficult to get the right care for Jordan because having epilepsy can be hard for people to deal with.

“We needed a break but we just weren’t getting it.

“The scheme is fantastic because it gives you time together as a couple and we also have the time to plan what we will do with Jordan.

“It is an extra pair of helping hands.”

Family link carers are ordinary people from all ages and backgrounds and ethnicity.

Some may have children of their own and others experience of working with disabled children but neither are necessary.

What family link carers do have in common is they enjoy children’s company, are able to give some time on a regular basis to look after a disabled child and are able to put the needs of the children first.

Youngsters in need of short breaks come from a wide range of backgrounds and are aged between five to 13-years-old.

They may have physical disabilities, learning difficulties, epilepsy or autism.

Mair Felix, Oldham Family Link Scheme co-ordinator, said as well as encouraging more carers to come forward, a special aim this year was to find carers with a spare bedroom who can provide overnight stay.

She added: “It is hard work and people have to be flexible and committed, but it is great for carers to see the children change and be part of their family. It is a win-win situation for everyone involved.”

For more information visit www.sharedcarenetwork.org.uk.