15/8/2005 - Families needed to share the care of children with disabilities : Cumbria County Council

Cumbria County Council will launch this year's Shared Care Campaign at Carlisle Racecourse's Family Fun Day on Wednesday 17th August at 12pm.

This marks the start of the campaign to recruit much needed carers for the scheme. The scheme involves carer families providing a disabled child with a break on a regular basis. Cumbria County Council's Social Services Department is looking for people to care for a child with a disability for a weekend, a holiday or occasional overnight stays. They give disabled children new experiences and new friends while their families get a break from caring full time.

The main aim of the launch is to raise awareness of the scheme and to recruit new carers. Families attending the fun day will be able to take part in lots of activities as well as watching a great day of horse racing.

Cumbria County Council will be sponsoring the second race at 2.40pm 'Graham's Shared Care race' in memory of Graham Huntley who benefited greatly from the shared care scheme. County Councillor John Collier, Chairman of Cumbria County Council will be presenting a trophy to the winning owner of that race. He said:

"This is a great way to raise awareness about the need to recruit more carers onto this important scheme. The scheme provides much needed respite care to local children with disabilities. Not only does it enrich the life of the child when they experience new people and situations, but it also allows parents to have a break, perhaps to spend some time with their other children or simply to re-charge their batteries. I am sure that everyone will have a fantastic day at the racecourse taking part in some fun activities and watching some great racing."

Sue Huntley, Graham's mother explains why her family and Graham benefited from the shared care scheme. She said:

" We are very grateful for the support our family received from the Shared Care Scheme over many years. To be able to leave our son, in a family home with people who knew him well made all the difference. Our son was happy to stay with familiar people and in surroundings he recognised and we were able to take a break, attend family or work events or spend some time with our younger son.

The knowledge that we had the regular support of a family to look after our son for short breaks or at times of crisis allowed us to have a less stressful, more normal family life."

Anyone who enjoys being with children, whether male or female, single or a couple, and have time to give, can apply to be a carer on the Shared Care Scheme. Experience with disability is not essential as Cumbria County Council’s Family Placement Team gives training and support. For more information, please call your local Family Placement office: