Southern Trust launches summer scheme for children with complex healthcare needs

by Gráinne Connolly

The Southern Trust has launched a new summer scheme service for children with disabilities and those who complex healthcare needs. 

The week long schemes are being held in the Education Authority Special Schools of Ceara (Lurgan) Rathore (Newry) and Sperrinview (Dungannon) in partnerships with 'Nana G's Day-Care'. 

Southern Trust Operational Manager for Short Breaks, Mark Irwin said: 

“I am delighted to be a part of this unique summer scheme for children with complex healthcare needs.

“These children are often excluded from mainstream services due to their specific needs and have limited opportunities to engage in many activities so this scheme was a way of trying to address that inequity.

“The scheme not only provides children with the opportunity to mix with their peers and make new friendships, it is stimulating, fun and gives their parents/carers a much needed break to ‘recharge their batteries’.”

(Summer scheme worker, Linda Wilson with Caoímhe)

Locality Head of Specialist Child Health and Disability Services for the Trust, Lesley Waugh said:

“We are delighted with the success of the summer scheme. To date we have received some great feedback which will help us when planning future programmes.

“I would also like to thank all of the staff involved as everyone has gone over and above their duties to make this happen and it is a great example of collaborative working between different agencies and disciplines.

"A special mention of thanks to Nana G’s Day Care and the Education Authority who kindly allowed the use of their premises.”

The summer scheme is funded and coordinated by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust’s Children’s Disability Services.