Tag Archives: disability

Much needed respite available for carers in Deeside

Carers to get a break as new service launched

 

A Deeside-based service that supports unpaid carers who look after a family member, friend or neighbour who is ill, frail or disabled has re-launched, with two new carer support workers who will pioneer new activities to benefit Deeside’s hardworking unpaid carers and help to distribute new funding for much-needed short breaks and respite.

 

Tracey Bell, carer support and development worker, said: “Three in five people will be carers at some point in their lives. There are a lot of services to support the people being cared for. But the carer’s own wellbeing is of paramount importance too.”

Why aren’t there more bus drivers like Les?

Les is a ‘hero of the road’! Salute to rule-breaking bus driver who goes extra mile for disabled passengers

From left: Ian Dalby, Jennette Arnold, Les Peacock, and in front, Angela Dobson

From left: Ian Dalby, Jennette Arnold, Les Peacock and, in front, Angela Dobson

Published: 12 April, 2013
by PETER GRUNER

A “KINDLY” bus driver who admits to breaking the rules to help a severely disabled woman from Holloway get aboard his vehicle has been presented by her with a distinguished service commendation.

Les Peacock, 59, not only stops his No 17 bus when he sees people in wheelchairs, but against the company rules, he switches his engine off and personally helps them to navigate the vehicle’s automatic ramp.

This “simple act of kindness” so impressed disabled woman Angela Dobson, 62, who has cerebral palsy, that she decided to track Les down to the Metroline bus garage at Pemberton Gardens, Holloway, where he is based.

On Monday afternoon, Les was the proud recipient of a “hero of the road” certificate of commendation from Ms Dobson, with the support of London Assembly Labour member Jennette Arnold, on behalf of Islington’s disabled people.

Father-of-two Les, from Waltham Abbey, a double-decker bus driver for almost 40 years, has for most of that time operated route 17 from Archway, Caledonian Road, and King’s Cross-and London Bridge.

Free respite holidays for disabled people and their families

Papworth Trust is offering free respite holidays to disabled people and their families at Kerry Farm in Wales, thanks to a £2 million grant from the Big Lottery Fund.

Typical respite is where the disabled person goes away while their family stays at home. The Trust’s respite holidays are unique because they offer a chance for the whole family to together have a supported break, without the pressures of everyday life.

Luke and his mum Jane

Luke and his mum Jane

Papworth Trust ran a pilot for this new service, shown on Channel 4 documentary The Secret Millions. 19-year-old Luke from Peterborough took part in the pilot with his parents Chris and Jane. Luke has Down’s Syndrome and was quite shy at first. Since the respite holiday he has become much more independent, taking part in local amateur dramatics and setting his sights on a role in EastEnders one day.

Luke’s Dad Chris saw some real changes from the respite holiday. He said: “I thought Luke was going to struggle but he just took to everything. He amazed me. I think it proved to us that Luke can do things that we didn’t think he could, and perhaps sometimes we were holding him back slightly. We can now let him go that little bit more.”

Mum Jane said: “It was such a benefit having more quality time together – normally Luke just has respite on his own. It’s really brought the family close together. Anybody that gets the opportunity will have a fantastic time.”

Adrian Bagg, Papworth Trust’s Chief Executive, said: “At Papworth Trust we understand the impact disability can have. It can be hard to have quality, stress free time together as a family. Disabled people and their families can now apply for free respite holidays thanks to the Big Lottery Fund. The pilot shown in The Secret Millions was an amazing experience for the families involved. It is fantastic that Papworth Trust will now be able to offer that farm experience to disabled people of any age, wherever they come from in the UK. We’re renovating a 16th century farmhouse in a beautiful part of Wales and we will be able to start welcoming families from autumn this year.”