Pictured above: Mandy Luckman
Law firm, Irwin Mitchell, in conjunction with Caudwell Children
and Acorns Children's Hospice, is holding a fringe reception at the
Conservative Party Conference, to highlight the need to ring-fence
and support residential and short break respite services, which
enhance the quality of lives for families with disabled
children.
Delegates at the event will hear about the vital role that
respite services play in helping to reduce family breakdown and the
need for expensive social care and medical intervention.
Mandy Luckman, partner at the Midlands offices of Irwin
Mitchell, says: "Many of our clients who care for severely disabled
children or vulnerable adults with special needs, tell us that
respite care is critical in allowing them to continue in their
roles as carers. Sometimes, just one night off a month to enable a
carer to have a good night's sleep or an afternoon out to recharge
the batteries can make the vital difference between feeling able to
cope or overwhelmed and unable to carry on."
Speakers at the Fringe Reception, to be held at Castle Fine Art,
Quayside Level 2 of the International Convention Centre in
Birmingham, include Anne Milton MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary
of State (Department of Health), David Strudley, Chief Executive of
Acorns Children's Hospice and Jackie Griffiths, Families Ambassador
at Caudwell Children.
Trudi Beswick, Chief Executive Caudwell Children: "As a national
children's charity, working with families across the UK, we have
first hand experience of the extreme pressure full-time care places
on the family unit, and the sometimes devastating effects.
"In contrast, we have also been instrumental in providing
families with short break and family support to alleviate some of
these pressures and introduce some additional happiness into family
life.
"This event provides an ideal platform for Caudwell Children and
Acorns to explain the benefits of respite services and we are
excited about working in partnership with such a well regarded
charity."
David Strudley, Chief Executive, Acorns Children's Hospice: "We
are just one part of the 40 plus network of local children's
hospices across the UK, providing free care and support for life
limited and life threatened children and their families.
"We currently care for nearly 600 children and young people but
in our region alone, there is an estimated additional 1,000 more
children that could benefit from our support, demonstrating the
significant need for respite care.
"The service we provide helps relieve the huge pressure our
families face having to deal with children with complex needs every
single day - it's not unusual for us to be described by them as a
vital lifeline.
"Much of our success in delivering these services is a result of
working in partnership and we are very excited to be able to put
the spotlight on this importance issue and how it can be addressed
at this event."
The mission of those involved in the event include to:
• promote and deliver volunteer-led short break respite
services, ensuring families with disabled children gain access to
leisure facilities
• promote early intervention via charity and not-for-profit
community organisations - preventing costly social care and medical
intervention in later life
• engage with the 'Big Society' to promote and deliver
volunteer-led projects
"The effort and emotion invested by carers should not be taken
for granted as they are pivotal to the lives of those for whom they
care," continues Mandy. "We are therefore keen to co-host this
reception to highlight their essential work and ask Government
ministers, MPs and local authorities to safeguard respite
services."
Background
• Over 25% of lone parents have a disabled child
• 53% of parents of a disable child have reported
relationship problems or breakdown
• 73% of disabled children have no access to leisure or
days out
• respite helps to
o sustain family carer health and wellbeing
o avoid or delay out-of-home placements
o reduce the likelihood of abuse and neglect
Acorns Children's Hospice is a charity offering a network of
care for life limited and life threatened children and young
people, and their families, across the heart of England. These
children and young people are not expected to reach adulthood and
require specialist care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.