£1.5m Announced For Short Breaks

Disabled children and their families in Wales will get better access to short breaks thanks to £1.54m of Welsh Assembly funding. The money will help local authorities develop more services. Short breaks ease the pressure on parents and families and enable the child to develop new skills, become more confident and make new friends.

Children’s minister Jane Hutt announced the funding at the launch of a DVD to encourage more people to volunteer as short break carers. A Warm Welcome was produced by the Shared Care Network Cymru and funded through an assembly grant. It features short break carers, disabled children and their families talking about the rewards and challenges that short breaks bring.

Hutt said: “This new funding will help provide more short breaks, enabling disabled children and their families to live more normal and rewarding lives.”

Pippa Boss, Wales development officer for the Shared Care Network Cymru, added: “We are delighted that the Assembly Government has committed new funding to this much-needed service. Short breaks are one of the most frequently requested services by the families of disabled children and many families are still waiting.”

The money builds on £1m made available to local authorities by Cymorth, a representative body for support providers, to improve access and development of play and leisure services for disabled children and young people.