The Home from Home Project
	Home from Home is a Project that offers short family-based breaks to people with  disabilities in the North Cork and South West/South East Limerick areas. It involves looking after a child or an adult with special needs in a Host family’s home for planned short periods of time. It gives the service user’s family a well earned break from the responsibility of full time care. Some families want short breaks – a few hours from time to time, while others need overnight stays, or help during school and summer holidays. There is no such thing as a typical arrangement as each varies according to the needs of the child or adult placed. Who uses Home from Home? Caring for a child or an adult with a disability poses many challenges and in meeting these challenges, time off for the service users,  their parents and carers. For these families, care giving is often a lifelong responsibility, beginning a process of continuous adjustment in their daily lives. All Carers need a break now and then, to have time for themselves away from the responsibilities of caring for their families. This is also true for families of people with disabilities, only for these families, it may be more difficult to arrange.  Home from Home provides families with a temporary break and an opportunity for all to recharge their batteries. Service Users can benefit from short breaks as much as their families.  It is envisaged that Home from Home will provide respite for children and adults in a homely atmosphere. The breaks offer opportunities for Service Users to meet new people, widen their social circle, offer new experiences and form friendships outside their families. Are you interested in becoming a Host Carer? To become a Host Carer, preparatory training is offered and an assessment is completed. The training outlines what is required of Host Carers and it is an opportunity to meet other prospective carers. In addition to training, potential Host families participate in an assessment process. Home from Home involves all residing family members. When approved, Host families have the opportunity to meet the person with special needs and their family prior to the break. This is to ensure that a successful and appropriate match is made. You will be provided with detailed information about the person who will be staying with you. Do I need relevant qualifications and experience? We welcome people from all walks of life and experience. There are no formal qualifications required or previous experience in disability is not necessary. Preparatory training, support and expenses are provided.  A prospective Host Carer can be working, retired or unemployed, with or without children, single or with a partner and over 18 years of age. What Host families have in common is enjoying the company of children and adults with a disability and be able to give some time on a regular basis. What rewards/benefits are there for you, the Host Carer, and other family members? Satisfaction in helping others, offering a real, supportive service A sense of achievement and fulfillment, a rewarding and enjoyable experience Making friends and developing trusting friendships. A way of taking part in the local community. Greater awareness and understanding of disability Adds a dimension to your life, building new skills and experience, self confidence and self development. Have you got what it takes? Special commitment and time A warm, caring and communicative nature a desire to offer support dependable and trustworthy understanding and a genuine interest in people with a learning disability a patient temperament be prepared to learn to accept someone in your home as part of the family common sense and strong motivation If you would like more information, please contact: The Home from Home Coordinator, St. Joseph’s Foundation, Baker’s Road, Charleville, Co. Cork. Tel: 063- 89252 Fax: 063-81116 Email: jburke@stjosephsfoundation.ie Website: www.stjosephsfoundation.ie