Media Release: Julia’s House Voices Support For Dorset’s Unsung Heroes During Carers Week
Thursday 4 June 2009; The nation’s attention will be drawn to the six million people that provide unpaid care to someone they know during Carers Week, 8-14 June, who save the economy an incredible £87 billion. In Dorset alone 90 life-limited children rely on the vital services of Julia’s House, the Dorset children’s hospice, but the charity highlights that up to 200 children and their families are in need of support across the county.
Despite the astonishing statistics reported by www.carersweek.org – and the fact that three in five people will be carers at some point in their life – carers often face a lack of recognition in all areas of their lives, from employers, GPs, social workers and even friends and family. Julia’s House has over 100 staff including 65 nurses and carers who visit children in their homes on a regular basis, looking after the child’s every need. This takes pressure off parents and enables them to take part in other activities, providing life-changing support in the family home and at the hospice located in Corfe Mullen. In addition to direct care, the Julia’s House Sibling Support Programme focuses on the needs of siblings who have an affected brother or sister in their families. A variety of events take place each year, which put the focus on the sibling, enabling them to feel special, have fun and the chance to have a care-free day. Julia’s House Nurse, 27 year-old Sarah Newton, typically looks after 10 seriously or terminally ill children each week, visiting some children at home all over Dorset and caring for others at the hospice in Poole. Sarah also supports the children’s parents, either through giving expert advice, or just as a shoulder to cry on, in unimaginably stressful circumstances. This free lifeline provides invaluable help and support to families who cope with conditions such as muscular dystrophy, severe cerebral palsy, spinal muscular atrophy, and brain tumours. Three and a half year-old Honey is just one of the children cared for by Julia’s House. Honey was starved of oxygen at birth resulting in severe cerebral palsy, quadriplegia and blindness. Honey’s parents, Jane and Simon, explain: “When nobody else cared, or at least not enough to help, Julia’s House was there. The one thing that parents with special needs children need is respite. We were drowning and they simply rescued us. “What’s it like living with a ‘special’ child? There is no comparison. You survive one day at a time. Honey enjoys the time she spends with her Julia’s House carers. She especially likes the multi-sensory room in the hospice. With the help of Julia’s House, we cope. We function and we get through life. We are so grateful for their help.” Julia’s House volunteer Ashley Conyard is the eldest brother of Patrick, who is also cared for by Julia’s House. Despite working full time, Ashley is also one of the charity’s youngest regular volunteers and works every Saturday afternoon at the Julia’s House shop in Bransgore. Later this year Ashley, together with his Uncle Bruce, will cycle from London to Paris to raise funds for Julia’s House. Ashley explains why he gives his time to the charity that has shown so much support to his entire family. “It is not just about Patrick, me or my other two younger brothers who receive support via sibling days or sessions at the hospice; our parents really benefit from having respite care at home for Patrick. This allows them to go out and spend quality time together safe in the knowledge that Patrick is being looked after by a qualified carer who genuinely enjoys spending time with Patrick. That’s why I choose to help out as much as possible to make sure that everyone that needs it gets the same support that we do.” If you would like to support Ashley in his cycling efforts for Julia’s House, please donate via his webpage www.justgiving.com/ashleyconyard Martin Edwards, Julia’s House Chief Executive, comments: “Some of our nurses are called ‘angels’ by the families they help, which shows just how special they are. I only wish we had more of them. “Carers Week brings vital awareness to the campaign for greater recognition and support for carers. Julia’s House provides a lifeline to families who are coping with caring for children with life-threatening illnesses but with only three per cent of our £2.4 million running costs met by the government we have to rely on the generosity of local people and businesses. We estimate that there are over 100 families still in need of our help. In each and every family that Julia’s House cares for there are not one but several unsung heroes helping to support a seriously ill child.” To find out more or to support Julia’s House visit www.julias-house.org or call 01202 607 400. For further information on Carers Week visit www.carersweek.org -Ends- Notes to Editors Julia’s House is Dorset’s hospice dedicated to children with life-limiting conditions. The majority of the children that it cares for are unlikely to live into adulthood (defined as beyond the age of 18). The children’s hospice complements the work of the Julia’s House Community Team, which consists of 65 nurses and carers who travel the county, providing life-changing support for families in their own homes. In 2008 the charity provided 7,318 hours of care in the community and 5,170 hours of care at the hospice in Corfe Mullen, equating to an overall 65% increase in the care hours compared with the previous year. Julia’s House Media Contact: Emma Spearing, Hazel PR Tel: 01202 862410 Fax: 01202 862301 Mobile: 07736 341828 E-mail: emma.spearing@hazelpr.com
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