Southern Trust launches summer scheme for children with complex healthcare needs

The Southern Health and Social Care Trust has launched a new summer scheme service for children with disabilities who have complex healthcare needs.

The week-long schemes are being held in the Education Authority Special Schools of Ceara (Lurgan) Rathore (Newry) and Sperrinview (Dungannon) in partnership with ‘Nana G’s Day-Care’.

Speaking to Newry Times, Southern Trust Operational Manager for Short Breaks, Mark Irwin said, “I am delighted to be a part of this unique summer scheme for children with complex healthcare needs.

“These children are often excluded from mainstream services due to their specific needs and have limited opportunities to engage in many activities so this scheme was a way of trying to address that inequity.

“The scheme not only provides children with the opportunity to mix with their peers and make new friendships, it is stimulating, fun and gives their parents/carers a much-needed break to ‘recharge their batteries’.”

Locality Head of Specialist Child Health and Disability Services for the Trust, Lesley Waugh said, “We are delighted with the success of the summer scheme. To date, we have received some great feedback which will help us when planning future programmes.

“I would also like to thank all of the staff involved as everyone has gone over and above their duties to make this happen and it is a great example of collaborative working between different agencies and disciplines.

She added, “A special mention of thanks to Nana G’s Day Care and the Education Authority who kindly allowed the use of their premises.”

The summer scheme is funded and coordinated by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust’s Children’s Disability Services.

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Posted by Newry Times News on Aug 13 2018. Filed under Community, What's On. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry