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Creative Breaks Workshops

Workshop topics confirmed so far include (these descriptions may be amended):

1.Time to Live: Developing a Local Short Breaks Fund

The purpose of this workshop is to share VOCAL's experience of establishing, promoting, administering and evaluating its local short break fund.  The workshop will focus on the outcomes approach used to help carers shape their breaks; ensuring breaks are person-centred and have a high and lasting impact. Time will also be spent exploring the up-skilling components of the process used by VOCAL.

Contributors

Jane Greenacre, Carers Support and Training Manager, VOCAL Carers Centre
Debbie Greenough, parent of a child with additional needs who has received a short break
Loren Urquhart , carer supporting her partner with dementia who has received a short break

Themes

Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning
Building an evidence base for future development
Widening access to support

2. Developing a Short Break Bureau – Lessons Learned

The purpose of this workshop is to explain the background and rationale behind two Short Break Bureau services in the early stages of development, and to explore how these services are working with carers and care recipients to re-think approaches to how overnight respite care is planned. 

By the end of the workshop attendees will understand the purpose of the short break bureau in supporting people to be more involved in shaping their breaks, the benefits delivered, and the key lessons learned in the journey to getting a bureau off the ground.

Contributors

Lynda Barr, Manager, Argyll and Bute Short Break Bureau
Claire MacDonald, Argyll and Bute, Short Break Bureau Administrator
Tony Johnson, Development Manager, Dumfries and Galloway Short Break Bureau

Themes

Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning
Developing new approaches to service commissioning
Capacity building
Partnership working
Evidencing cost effectiveness 

3. Leisure Opportunities for All

Promoting Access to Leisure Activities for People  with Profound and Multiple DisabilitiesPromoting Access to Leisure Activities for People with Profound and Multiple Disabilities

 The purpose of this workshop is to:

  • Introduce the work of PAMIS and in particular a brief history of PAMIS’ leisure work.
  • Explore both physical and intellectual barriers that prevent people with Profound and Multiple Learning Disabilities (PMLD) from accessing leisure and sporting activities and identify ways of addressing these.
  • Show the Freestyles DVD to demonstrate how a ‘can do’ approach can result in positive experience for people with PMLD and their families.
  • Discuss with delegates how these examples of best practice can be shared and implemented more widely.

Contributors

Alana McDicken, Leisure Development Worker, PAMIS
Maureen McClelland, Family Support Service Coordinator (Fife), PAMIS

Themes

Partnership working
Widening access to support
Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning

4. Shifting the ‘Purchasing Power’ for Short Breaks

The purpose of this workshop is to hear about two different approaches that have been developed to give  carers  and care recipients more choice and control over how they arrange short breaks by putting the 'purchasing power' in their hands. 

In the case of West Lothian Council this is achieved by allowing carers to have their own Respite Account into which the partnership deposits a sum of money based on their assessed needs and eligibility.  In Falkirk Council this is achieved by issuing Short Breaks Vouchers which can then be redeemed against services received.

By the end of the workshop attendees will have an awareness of some of the different approaches to the commissioning of short breaks that 'fit with self directed support' and are capable of enabling individuals to achieve the outcomes they are seeking from their short break(s).

Contributors

Jillian Dougall, Service Development Officer, Social Policy, West Lothian Council
Margaret Petherbridge, Policy Development Officer (Direct Payments) Falkirk Council
George Dalgety, Short Break Voucher user
Tam McNamara, Social Worker (Mental Health) Falkirk Council 

Themes

Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning
Building an evidence base for future development
Developing new approaches to service commissioning
Partnership working
Evidencing cost effectiveness

5. Y Sort It – Young Carers Camps

The opportunity to have residential experiences away from home with their peers can play such an important role in helping young people to gain confidence  on their journey into adulthood.  Such opportunities are often inaccessible to young carers because of their caring responsibilities and often complex circumstances.  This workshop will tell the story of Y Sort It (West Dumbartonshire youth information and support service) and their 2011 Summer Camps project; explain what happened and how the experience made such a positive impact on the young carers involved.

The workshop for promoting sharing good practice will include a PowerPoint presentation about the development of the Summer camps including a short DVD and how to encourage youth involvement and partnership working. Participants will use flashcards to identify who are the key partners when it comes to organising young carers camps and each of their roles as well as “OH NO Scenario!!” cards to prompt discussion about the planning and organising of Young Carer Camps.

 Contributors

Gillian Kirkwood, Y Sort It Depute Coordinator
Holly Bartlett, Y Sort It Youth Information & Support Worker

Themes

Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning
Building an evidence base for future development
Widening access to support
Partnership working

6. Direct Short Breaks

The purpose of this workshop is to introduce people to the KIDS Direct Short Break service which operates successfully in nine local authority areas across England and will be piloted in Scotland in 2012 in partnership with PLUS Stirling.

The KIDS Direct Short Breaks service means that disabled children and young people can enjoy and experience activities that they are interested in with the support of a skilled Short Break Worker (Personal Assistant).

An innovative aspect of this service is that families have the flexibility to plan their break through a secure website which is designed to help match the skills and experiences of the KIDS Short Break Workers to the individual needs of the child or young person and family. Families are in control of their account, and are able to:

  • Create their own family profile to show workers their specific requirements 
  • View Worker profiles showing their skills, experience and interests
  • Choose the worker they want Book and pay for their short break

Contributors

Emma Clarke, National Director of Direct Short Breaks, KIDS
Paul Dumbleton, Chief Executive, PLUS

Themes

Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning
Building an evidence base for future development
Widening access to support
Partnership working
Harnessing new technology

7. Holiday Shorts – Achievement Bute

The purpose of this workshop is to consider how a families-led voluntary organisation works to ensure families obtain the kind of flexible support they need. The workshop will explore parent and child participation in the planning and evaluation processes; how to balance the needs of carers and the needs of children; how to provide activities that are fun, stimulating, and that meet individual needs, in an inclusive way.

Contributors

Dorothy McDonald, Manager Achievement Bute
Charlene Honeyman, Project Co-ordinator
Raemarie Lilley, Parent
Joanne Craig, Parent

Themes

Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning
Building an evidence base for future development
Partnership working

8. Time to Share – A Break with a Difference 

This workshop will explain the Time to Share services one of a range of services provided by the Joint Dementia Initiative (managed by Falkirk Council in partnership with NHS Forth Valley) open to people of any age with a diagnosis of dementia or related conditions. Time to Share providers offer hospitality in their family home with the aim of supporting people with former or current interests, and also to try out new experiences. For most people the experience is like a holiday in a friend’s home – providing a positive experience both for the person, their family care and the Time to Share provider.

Contributors

Sheena Short, Project Worker Early Onset, Joint Dementia Initiative
Shirley MacDonald, Project Worker, Home from Home
Mary Willis, carer and user of Time to Share
Celia McKechnie, Time to Share Carer

Themes

Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning
Widening access to support
Partnership working 

9. Creative Approaches to Emergency Planning

The purpose of this workshop is to share the findings of a recent survey carried out by ENABLE Scotland into Emergency Planning for unpaid carers. The workshop will highlight some of the more 'creative' approaches that have been developed to support carers, and those they rely on, to think and plan ahead.  There is no question that having a pre-prepared plan in place, which is flexible and personal, reduces anxiety and brings peace of mind.

There will be three elements to the Workshop:

  • Short PowerPoint Presentation based on information collated on Emergency Planning across Scotland.
  • Creation of a best practice emergency planing process through case studies and group discussion
  • Group feeback of new ideas and new thinking around Emergency Planning.

Contributors

Kathy Hunter, Development Manager, Enable Scotland
Wilma Thompson, Lifelong Carers Manager, Enable Scotland 

Themes

Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning
Building an evidence base for future development

10. The Break-Away Project

The purpose of this workshop is to describe the Break-Away Project. The Break-Away Project is an alternative to using residential respite. The Break Away Project has been up and running in Edinburgh since 2010.

We all know carers are important and, by using an individual budget, we hope that while parents and carers have time off they know person they care for is enjoying themselves, making friends, learning new skills and, most importantly, is safe and well.

Using an Individual Budget, a break can be a week away in the sun, a weekend in Blackpool, care at home while carers have a well deserved holiday, a trip to a concert, a night out 10 pin bowling with friends, even white water rafting…the possibilities are endless!
The workshop will include a presentation from two participants in the Break-Away Project and a little bit of drama!

Contributors

Katrina Merrilees
Campbell Ridge
Vicky Nicolson

Themes

Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning
Building an evidence base for future development
Widening access to support
Partnership working
Capacity Building
Evidencing cost effectiveness
Developing new approaches to service commissioning

11. Leuchie House – Going Forward

 The purpose of this workshop is to share future plans and developments at Leuchie  House, once a holiday centre run by the MS Society Scotland, now standing on it's own  two feet as an independent charity specialising in holiday packages for people with long- term conditions and disabilities.

By the end of the workshop attendees will have had an insight into the story of Leuchie  House and the fledgling charity's exciting plans for the future, and how guests with  different levels of need - from simple to complex - are being supported by Leuchie to  have the break they want.

Contributors

Mairi O' Keefe, Chief Executive, Leuchie House Short Break Care

Themes

Person-Centred and/or Outcome Focused Planning
Partnership working 

 

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