13/03/12…..Share The Care Week – March 19-25

A campaign to encourage more people in the county to help disabled children and young people is being launched by Oxfordshire County Council to co-incide with Share the Care Week (March 19-25).

The Short Break Scheme provides support to families by caring for children for one or two nights a month.

They are regular opportunities for families to have a break from caring while the child enjoys spending time with a Short Break carer. They provide opportunities for the child to make new friends, develop their independence and enjoy new activities.

I could to do that!

Share the Care week aims to get more people to think “I could do that!” and volunteer to support a child and their family for a couple of days a month.

Councillor Louise Chapman, Oxfordshire County Council?s Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: ?Not only do Short Break carers give children the chance to take part in activities that most non-disabled children take for granted ? they also give parents a break from the demands of caring.

?Being a Short Break carer is such a rewarding and enjoyable role, we hope that when they hear about the opportunity many more people will think ?I could do that!? and find out more.”

Short Break carers come from a wide variety of backgrounds. All you need is a love of children and a willingness to help a child realise their potential- specialist training and support is given.

Theresa Rogers, Oxfordshire County Council?s Service Manager for Fostering, said : ?There is a real need for more Short Break carers in Oxfordshire. We currently have 20 carers supporting families in Oxfordshire but another 19 children are waiting.

?The scheme relies on people to volunteer as carers, just for a couple of days a month. It?s a way of being able to foster even if you work full time. Specialist training and support is given, Short Break carers receive an allowance and for some circumstances funding is provided for set-up costs”.

“We hope that many more people will think ?I Could Do That? and want to find out more. The scheme relies on people to volunteer as carers, just for a couple of days a month. It?s a way of being able to foster even if you work full time. Specialist training and support is given, short break carers receive an allowance and in some circumstances funding is provided for set-up costs”.

For more information phone 0800 7835724.

SOURCE: Press Release