Description
ShortBreaks Project is the answer to an identified issue in Tulcea community and will be implemented by Helping Hands Association through a private-public partnership with the Social Protection and Assistance Department of Tulcea City. By this an innovative social service will be developed and will increase the capacity of the Association to provide quality social services and will increase the competencies of the personnel, 10 employed and 10 volunteers. Also a local network and a Local Group will be initiated towards recovering and rehabilitation of children with handicap and educational special needs. By developing the new service, ShortBreaks, a break will be offered to the parent or personal carer of the disabled child, for a short period of time (2-4 hours) during the week end so that they can detach and relax from the daily routine activities and later on to be able to continue to care for their child on a long-term basis. Direct beneficiaries are 40 disabled children and children with special educational needs and their families from Tulcea City.
Summary of project results
ShortBreaks was developed in partnership with the Social Assistance and Protection Department Tulcea as an attempt to meet the needs of the children with disabilities and specific educational requests in Tulcea County. The records from the Social Assistance and Protection Department referred to 283 children with disabilities facing adaptation difficulties due to insufficient adequate services to support recovery, integration and socializing. In the same time, the project addressed parents' need to have a break from caring for their children, without necessarily staying away from them: the ShortBreaks centre set in the project allows parents to have a time of their own while children attend therapy sessions. They can choose to either spend time outside the centre or to stay in the proximity of the children, to meet and talk to other parents or to the specialists from the association. They received counselling and advice on how to access their rights or to cope with the condition of their children and maintain a positive family environment. The centre is operational and received licence to operate as a social service provider. Within the project, a manual and a set of instruments were developed and used in relationship with the beneficiaries. Specific rooms for sensorial therapy (the only one sensorial room in Tulcea County) and play therapy were set, while the staffs were trained. During the project, 41 children with disabilities attended therapy sessions and improved adaptative skills. The 72 therapy sessions offered opportunities to socialising and involving in cultural and artistic activities while valuing and maximising the talent and creativity of the 41 children with disabilities. By the ShortBreaks project, the promoter increased its visibility in the community and promoted its activities and available resources. The association promoted a transparent and accountable relation with the community and the centre is open for every person interested in the activities, (potential) beneficiaries and general public.
Summary of bilateral results