Rewild Play is supporting over 130 unpaid carers to take some time for themselves, to de-stress and have some fun.
Rewild Play assists unpaid carers of children with additional learning needs and mental health conditions across South Wales. Their Short Breaks Scheme project, ‘Caru-Ti ~ Love You’ enables unpaid carers to access a range of activities and take a short break from their caring responsibilities, including nights away and weekly peer support groups.
Rewild Play have been able to support carers and their families to have a weekend break, or to enjoy a mini treat. They have provided farm trips for families, horse riding sessions and cinema trips. Thanks to ten peer support group meetings, many carers have had the chance not only to talk to each other but also with external agencies about the wider opportunities available in the community that can support them to sustain their caring roles.
“It’s nice to be recognised for the caring that I do and the break makes me feel that my role is valued in society.” Jo*, a parent who enjoyed an overnight break.
Rewild Play explains that a significant number of families are unable to access respite for themselves, as it is hard to find someone to care for their child. However, thanks to the Short Breaks Scheme, sixteen unpaid carers and their partners were able to enjoy an overnight stay at hotels throughout South Wales, knowing that their children were in safe hands and being looked after. The project also supported two families to have a break together.
Rita* says, “Frustrating doesn’t cover how I’ve been feeling the last 12 months. And exhausted. Much of the burden of our children falls on me as my husband works away and it’s been hard to find time to be us. This grant gave us this opportunity. A lovely evening meal out in beautiful surroundings. Time to shake off the anxiety, stress and frustration and become us again. We reconnected and focused on us, which has made all the difference since we came home.”
Another carer, Rosa*, tells us, “Not having the children with us meant we were able to enjoy doing the things we wanted to do and never get the chance to. With our Short Breaks grant an overnight stay in a hotel without our children was long overdue and very much needed. We had a lovely meal together and we treated ourselves to a very rare visit to the theatre which we both love.
“There were no chores to undertake and other people looked after us instead of us constantly looking after others - we loved it and we most certainly needed it! We have a seven year old with a genetic disorder and a ten year old with suspected but as yet undiagnosed ADHD. Both are very demanding in very different ways but they each need one-to-one support.
“We were able to do things that we did before the children came along and it reminded us that we can still have fun and be us. However, we did spend a lot of time talking about the children and laughing about the funny things they do.
"This helped us realise that our caring roles often come with blocked care and masks the love we feel for our children. Having that breather made us realise how much we love them. We were more relaxed journeying home."
The opportunity for ‘down time’ in lovely surroundings was not only welcomed but vital to our mental and physical wellbeing.
Rewild Play say that the family breaks, carers mornings and overnight breaks have been incredibly popular and have attracted new people to the charity.
The importance of one of Rewild Play’s short breaks to sustain her caring role is highlighted by Jane*:
Thank you for helping us to reconnect and for clearing my head and making me realise I do have the energy to carry on and do what needs to be done!
*Names are changed to protect privacy