During respite care, members with disability, staff and volunteers all live together. During this time we share house activities and various social activities together. Everyone participates in household chores from wash-up to cooking dinner. However its far from all chores as we go out to the cinema, bowling, shopping, walking etc. As we invite a different group of people with disabilities to our house each week, each respite break is made up of many different individuals; therefore each group is very varied. We plan the activities of each group around the personalities and abilities that make up that group.

Picture Mary, a lady in her early thirties, married with two young children, a mother, a housewife. Mary suffers a brain haemorrhage which leaves her with severe disabilities and unable to live at home again. More importantly to Mary, she can no longer care for her children as she wished. Mary, when she visits us, loves to get into the kitchen, to supervise the cooking. For a few hours, Mary can do a lot of the things she used to love doing.

A young man, John, at the age of 24 is working city centre, renting an apartment, has a car, a group of friends, and a good social life. He has a car accident which leaves him with a severe head injury, wheelchair bound and unable to lead an independent life. He has to move back home with his parents caring for him.

When John visits us it is the socialising aspect of the house that means so much to him. He spends time with a group of people his own age, and gets out and about.

Respite for Children

Some respite groups are specifically designed for children. Activities include arts and crafts, music, trips to the zoo, playgrounds, bouncing castles and lots of fun and games.