- helping families with children with special needs
Time for Families is a project within the North Cotswolds Community Time Bank that supports families who have a child with a disability, special needs or who requires additional support in some way.
This can include physical disabilities, mental health problems, dyslexia, dyspraxia, communication problems, developmental delays, autism, or anything else.
We help families to access practical help and support through the Fair Shares Time Banks.
Background
Our projects aim to reach all those who could benefit from time banking in our communities. We have been successful in engaging many hard to reach groups including isolated older people, prisoners’ families and adults with learning disabilities. However, we recognised that families with disabled children were not accessing the time banks and were often isolated, in need of greater support and would benefit from being part of the informal supportive network of time banking.
We talked to community groups and families who told us that access to a wider support network could help children and families feel less isolated, less stressed and help them to access leisure activities. We know that families don’t want to have to make a fuss, or complete endless forms to get a bit of help now and then.
Families and organisations felt that time banking was the ideal solution as help is available as and when needed, without having to struggle through a formal process. Put simply, everyone felt that families with disabled children just need the neighbourly support that helps many parents and children in their day to day lives.
How it works
Help is provided to families in two ways. Parents can provide peer support and share their experiences and knowledge to other families, and to organisations such as playgroups, childminders, schools and social groups to raise awareness of each type of disability or need. They can also help parents who are expecting a baby with disabilities so that they have greater informal support to prepare for this. Parents can earn time credits for supporting each other. We give each family five time credits when they join, so that they can get support as soon as possible.
Families can also get help from the wider time bank network, including practical support or just someone to talk to. For example, help with transport either to school or leisure activities, or an extra pair of hands, can make all the difference.
Who we work with
We know that families with disabled children have many demands on their time and we are working closely with groups and agencies across the county to reach them.
Contact Us
If you want to learn more about this project or any of our time banks, please contact:
Joanna Goldie and Lyn O'Donnell
North Cotswolds Community Time Bank
Moreton Area Centre
High Street
Moreton-in-Marsh
GL56 0AX
Tel 01608 812338
Email
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