Caring for a child with a complex disability can be exhausting, isolating and emotionally and physically challenging. Mencap’s Breaking Point survey reported that 8 out of 10 family carers have reached, or are close to reaching breaking point due to a lack of short break respite.
Cherry Trees provides this lifeline across Surrey. Their home-from-home care supports children with complex disabilities whilst providing a meaningful break for their families. Last year, they provided this lifeline to 75 families by providing 1,512 sleepovers and 603 tea or day visits. They also organised days out for the families, ran five parent and staff wellbeing days, and provided small but vital financial grants through their bursary and welfare funds. These additional services ensure these families receive the physical, emotional and financial support they need, when they need it.
Providing this lifeline costs £1.3m a year. This is part funded by the local authority but costs, on average, an additional £4.25 per hour of care.
Every £4.25 helps provide another hour of life-changing care and support. See the difference your support makes at www.cherrytrees.org.uk