By Chris, Short Break Carer
“One weekend a month, our home becomes a haven for a young person we support through Share the Care. It’s a rhythm we’ve grown into over the years, and while each visit is unique, there’s a familiar routine that helps everything run smoothly.
“We pick up our young person pick at 10am sharp. He’s always waiting at the window, waving and shouting down to us. The transition has to be precise—his dad brings him down, we take his hand, and we walk straight out. Any deviation from this routine can be overwhelming for him, so we stick to what works.”
“Once home in Chippenham, we lock the doors and windows to create a calm, secure environment. That first half hour is quiet time. My husband and I sit with a coffee while he settles in. Then it’s out to the garden—his favourite place. He loves picking ivy leaves off the fence and exploring.
“Lunch is always the same, something familiar and comforting. In the afternoon, we head out. This time, it was the Cotswold Wildlife Park—a special treat to mark the end of summer. He adores the train and watching animals, and we let him lead the way. He was mesmerised by another child feeding a tapir and stood watching for ages.
“Back home, we have dinner and wind down until bedtime. He takes his medication and settles in for the night.
“Sunday brought a break in the weather, so he got to mow the lawn—his absolute favourite activity. We have the same lawnmower as his parents, and he proudly pushes it up and down until the battery runs out. After lunch, he insisted on visiting Cotswold Airport. It was quiet and rainy, but he was content just exploring.
“By the end of the weekend, he’s had a fulfilling break, and his family has had some much-needed rest. We drop him home, knowing we’ve made a difference.”
What is Share the Care?
Share the Care is a Short Break Fostering scheme run by South Gloucestershire Council. It provides regular, planned breaks for families caring for children with disabilities. Carers offer overnight stays, weekends, or school holiday support, helping children experience new environments and giving families essential time to rest and recharge.
Short Break Fostering is extremely important to the wellbeing of many families and can make a real difference to children’s lives.
Could you Share the Care?
If you’re interested in becoming a Short Break Carer, fill in our enquiry form or call 01454 866423 and a member of our team will be in touch for an informal chat. You can also come along to one of our fostering information events.
