Benefits and Outcomes...

For many of the families who are referred to our Supported Breaks programme it is their first experience of being in a ‘community setting’ and we are continually reminded of the power of being together through such an experience. We notice the need for caring, listening, communicating and negotiating that goes on with all involved. Through the sharing of personal issues, experiences and fun activities the community nature of the programme builds bridges and draws people closer together.

The residential takes place at carefully chosen venues that offer a variety of suitable spaces in which to hold specific activities.

Families have time to rest and relax whilst being given the opportunity to experience training workshops in; personal development, parenting skills and creative projects. The breaks also provide activities utilising music and drama as well as access to a variety of individual therapies including counselling. Our highly qualified team use their skills with humour and enjoyment to inspire, lift depression, increase positive thinking, raise self-esteem and encourage the community within each break to realise their hopes, dreams and wishes for the future.

The need for further intensive family support schemes can be identified during the supported breaks. They can then be put in place immediately so as to implement a continuous family care plan that capitalises on the benefits already achieved during the break.

Our residential supported break programme is designed to offer a nurturing and supportive environment which is based on our understanding of therapeutic models of parenting programmes and family dynamics which involves a community experience framework.

These benefits include:

• a more stable family foundation (which is “an essential foundation for individual potential to be realised” Tony Blair, Respect-Action Plan ) accompanied by positive family relationships that extend out into the community
• recognition and respect for shared values, consideration for others, and a realisation that we all have responsibilities as well as rights, civility and good manners
• improved communication between family members and increased awareness of the importance of taking time to play creatively and spontaneously with their children
• an overall improvement in health awareness and for some the first steps taken toward the slow withdrawal process from medication; which has resulted in them becoming ‘drug free’ following the breaks; this will be monitored closely by their g.p and health workers, etc.
• a sense of feeling happier and more joyful in their lives
• social awareness leading to inclusion, new friendships and a chance to link up with new families from their own community
• learning about the benefits of massage and touch in a safe environment and feeling supported and cared for which increases trust that is passed on to their children
• a chance to realise personal creativity and develop this into possible work opportunities or hobbies
• a chance to try out new experiences, to experience a different way i.e. individual therapies, time in nature, circle time, playing music, singing, movement, drama, story-telling
• recognising the benefits of having ‘time out’ and being able to feel relaxed, having time to reflect on their personal lives
• being more able to make conscious decisions about change and choosing positive goals for the future

When families return several times marked changes are noticed; in their overall well-being, their attitudes and the way they cope with life, some life-changing decisions may have taken place, the breaks have provided a real opportunity for parents and children to be able to stay together. Where that has not been possible there are noticeable changes of attitude with more positive feelings about each other and more awareness that there are infinite possibilities for their situation to change

and …… equally important… a real financial saving for the social and health services in their overall care budget for children and their families, as well as less future dependency on the services which reduces the worker’s time spent on supporting such a family in need …