Barnardos' Apna

What Barnardos' Apna did

15 carers got 3705 hrs break from their caring responsibilities. The short break activities were fully planned by the carers. And the as the result there were more one to one support then group work. However carers still received the same amount of break. Activities included Art and Craft sessions, Dance sessions, going out and learning new skills.

One to one support was very much based on the need of individuals. The aim of the group work and one to one support was the make young people more independent; build up their confidence and resilience. They got the opportunity to learn new things like in the cookery session they learnt to make different dishes. Young people also took part in gardening with Govanhill Housing Association to improve a piece of derelict land in the locality. They were also visited by MSPs and the First Minister to make them aware of their issues.

While young people were away their carers use this time to relax and spend time with their other children. They also took part in a session, organised by Apna project, on SDS to learn what SDS is about and what choices they have. They also learnt how to become the legal guardian of their children so that they can manage the funding and choose the providers to work with their children.

What Barnardos' Apna Project has learned

The fund made a huge difference to young people and their carers. We learned that if it was not for this funding a number of young people would have been very isolated and their carers would have not had the break they really needed.

This funding also enabled project to reach out to those who had no support at all and were struggling and had a very stressful life. This funding also enabled carers to learnt about SDS and experience how a SDS support feels like, where carers will have control and will be able to choose whatever service they need for themselves and for their children.