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Short break care services Buddy Scheme

August 16, 2011

Aimee is a bright girl with complex multiple disabilities. The passage below comes from Aimee’s parent, who looks at the positive effect of the short break care Buddy Scheme.

“Aimee has always enjoyed an active life. We were introduced to Core Children’s Services in January 2011 with the intention that she might experience some new social activities under the Buddy Scheme - funded through the Aiming High project.

“Core came out to meet us and to discuss what we hoped Aimee would gain from the scheme. Aimee, who is wheelchair dependent, wanted to explore dance, drama and arts and was introduced to Core support worker Stacey. Stacey is herself a talented dancer and artist.
“Aimee is 17 years old but this was the first time we had ever felt enough confidence in a care/support organization to want to work with them. Within days Stacey had arranged for Aimee to join dance lessons at the Dancexchange at Birmingham Hippodrome.

“Initially, Stacey and I worked as a team to support Aimee, allowing Stacey to develop a good understanding of Aimee’s abilities and difficulties. As the weeks went by, Aimee wanted me to step back and become an observer. From the outset, Aimee has regarded Stacey as a ‘buddy’ rather than a carer and really looks forward to her company.

“During the last few months the two of them have explored Contemporary, Club Jazz, even Breakdancing and a Summer Musicals Drama Workshop. The best experience of all has been ballet, as a dancer herself, Stacey has nurtured Aimee’s love of dance and given her the confidence to enjoy both freedom and control of her movement and self-expression through dance.
“Being given some extra hours once the support was established, enabled Stacey to help Aimee to explore art too. Together they have studied the works of Edgar Degas and interpreted some of his pictures using pastels, oils, chalks and paints.

The pictures they have created are moving and charming.
“This has been one of the most rewarding experiences of Aimee’s life so far. They are now looking forward to taking part in the end of term dance show.
“I sincerely thank you for the skills, professionalism and inspiration Core Children’s Services have shown and wish that we could find some way to continue to access Core’s services when dance classes resume in September.”