Be the BIG Difference

Short break carers support disabled children and young people and their families by providing disabled children with regular short breaks. Watch the video of carers Anne and James who talk about how short breaks benefit their disabled grandsons Ben and Damon and the whole family.

This video is part of our DVD, Be the BIG Difference , which showcases the opportunities in short breaks. To order your copy please email Trudi Holden or complete the order form Shared care network be the big difference dvd order form.pdf

See more examples on our YouTube channel: sharedcarenetwork (Opens in a new window.)

Read more short break carers' stories here

More short break carers are urgently needed across the UK.

If you are interested in becoming a short break carer please email the following details to Trudi Holden:

• Full name
• Address
• Contact number
• Email address
• Looking for volunteering/paid work

If you are already a short break carer why not join our National Short Breaks Network to receive free   newsletters and information about events and opportunities to talk to other short break carers. For more information go to Short break carers

About short break carers

Short break carers come from a wide range of ages and backgrounds. They share a love of children and a willingness to help a disabled child realise their potential. More short break carers are urgently needed to look after disabled children on a regular basis. This can be anything from a few hours a week to an overnight stay once a month.

Short break carers enable disabled children to have enjoyable experiences which help them become more independent and form friendships outside the family. Short break carers contribute to disabled children’s personal and social development and help reduce their social isolation. At the same
time parents and families get a regular and valued break from their caring responsibilities.

About short breaks

There are lots of different kinds of short break services and they can be provided by short break carers, volunteers and paid workers. Short breaks can be day, evening, overnight or weekend activities and can take place in the child's home, the home of an approved carer, a residential or community setting. Short breaks can also include sitting care, with an element of childminding; befriending by another young person or adult who can help the disabled child or young person access community activities; community and leisure activities such as organised group activities - play schemes, Saturday clubs, or after-school clubs.

Short breaks can be for just a few hours to a few days, occasionally longer. This depends on the types of short breaks and the needs of the child and their family.

Links

Find out more about the Government’s Aiming High for Disabled Children programme.

Find out about the Every Disabled Child Matters campaign here.