Host carers needed for Disability Home Share Short Breaks service

Home Share Short Breaks, a community based service enables people to give children and adults with disabilities fun and enjoyable breaks away from their normal home environment and, in turn, gives families respite from continual caring.

Disability services across the Mid-West are now appealing for hosts across Clare to open their doors for a day or weekend in 2023. Breaks can be for a couple of hours, overnight,

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This publication supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Press Council’s Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Press Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, Lo-call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie weekends, or even longer and each break is arranged around the person’s preference and each host carer’s preferences and availability. Making the call for new host carers, Catherine O’ Sullivan Avista Home Share Coordinator in Limerick and Tipperary said: “Host caring is practiced widely within the Mid-West and has been described as a most worthwhile experience by those who are already providing care in their home. The feedback we receive from host carers is extremely positive. For some, it is a way of giving back to society and for others, it has given them a real understanding of the struggles that families dealing with disability face daily.

“The benefits are twofold. Host carers feel really fulfilled from the joy they derive from sharing their home with someone new and giving those being cared for, the opportunity to experience a new environment and meet new people.”

Outlining the process involved becoming a host carer, Karen Downes from the Brothers of Charity Home Share service in Co. Clare stated: “It’s a very simple but thorough process. All it involves is an initial phone call or email and we will take it from there. As with all services of this nature, there is a thorough assessment process to safeguard both the host carer and the person being cared for.

“All host families require Garda, TUSLA, and medical clearance, and references. Whilst previous caring experience is not a requirement, we do need some reassurance that the person is caring, empathetic and that they have discussed the option with their own families.

“Home Share training and support is provided, and host carers are matched with each child or adult looking to avail of a short break. All host carers will be renumerated for stays.”

Ann Norton, from Co. Clare has availed of the host carer service since her daughter Nicole, who is now 25, was a child and has been linked with the same host carer throughout those years.

“Nicole is 25, she has cerebral palsy, she is visually impaired and has some speech impairment but that has never stopped her doing what she wants to do. I chose host caring as I knew I needed extra support from someone other than our family and it has been such a wonderful experience. Nicole is a big part of her host caring family’s lives, she was flower girl at her host carer Julia’s daughter’s wedding, their children have always treated Nicole as their older sister. It’s lovely to be a part of the Home Share family.”

If you or any member of your family is interested in finding out more, contact: homeshareclare@bocsi.ie or Contact Brothers Of Charity Home Share Coordinator Karen Downes on 087 9235130 for further information.