14th May 2013

• Caudwell Children is a national charity working to transform the lives of disabled children. Their family support service has recently expanded into the Yorkshire and Humber area. This service is aimed at families with a disabled or seriously ill child aged 0-18 who are facing crisis and have a household income of less than £45k per year (excluding benefits). It is delivered as a 6-week or 12-week block by trained volunteers and can include:

  Family support: support plan within family home, coping with family crisis, emotional support, putting together a sustainable action plan for long term support, practical support
  Hospital support service: emotional support through diagnosis, practical support for hospital appointments and stay, supporting with the care of any siblings, entertaining and playing with the child, supporting an action plan for the return home

  Other services provided by the charity include:
  Information and signposting
  Identifying sources of funding
  Support with form-filling, e.g. DLA forms, grant applications
  Caudwell children resources, e.g. sensory pack for ASD (means-tested, minimum contribution from parents £280), therapies (including speech and language therapy), specialised wheelchairs, car seats, tricycles, holidays
   
  The charity takes referrals from social services, NHS and charities, or families can refer themselves. Caudwell will arrange with the family to go for a home visit within a week of referral.
   
  For more information or to make a referral, please contact Karen Bull on 07972 688 019 or email karen.bull@caudwellchildren.com.