The Switch Off project's main aim is to provide a programme of activities for parents and carers of children who have additional support needs i.e. physical, learning or behavioural. The difficulties for some of these children range from cerebral palsy, Down's Syndrome, ADHD, dyslexia, autism, epilepsy, allergies, Soto Syndrome, dyspraxia, asthma etc. The parents who attend the weekly sessions all suffer from high levels of stress and anxiety and they all benefit from the activities, support and understanding which Switch Off provides.
In 2004 parents and carers from Dysart Primary School and Rosslyn Special School met with the headteachers and Public health nurse (YP) for the Viewforth cluster group. The aim of their meeting was to establish if the parents required a support group, as they all have children with additional support needs. The parents did not want a group linked to their child's needs, but identified that they would benefit from 'protected time', where they could come together to chat, relax, participate in activities and generally switch off from their caring role. This group was established in August 2004, and has continued to meet regularly during term times in Dysart Primary School parents' area.
In 2005, the local changing children's services group funded Switch Off to develop the project.A support worker was employed in January 2006 and in April 2006 two other Switch Off groups were established, one in YMCA, for parents whose children attend Valley Primary School, both mainstream and Special Education Unit. The other group met in Attention Fife office. This group is now meeting in Sinclairtown Primary School, as it was identified by the parents that the need for this type of support would benefit the area.
A new worker came into the post in August 2006, and in November another group was meeting in Fair Isle Nursery. Some of the activities for this group are held in the excellent facilities at Fair Isle Primary School.
The parents enjoy trying new experiences and the programmes of activities are very varied, with each group choosing what they want.
The support worker has worked in partnership with many local agencies and services, to provide a mix of activities e.g. Relaxation, beauty therapy, Ki energy, Dharma, Indian Head Massage, photography, music etc. Some parents want information on a wide range of topics and services, and we have had talks from Attention Fife, Enable Fife, Community Food Development Project, School Nurses.
Liz Easton, General Secretary at YMCA obtained funding on our behalf, and 11 parents successfully completed a Food Handling course. Some of these parents are now volunteering in a local lunch club, and a community church cafe. Ten parents have also attended a basic first aid course. One father attended a REHIS Food For Health course and is considering becoming a trainer for this.
Most of the tutors we have coming to the groups also work in Adam Smith College. We work very closely with Lorraine Craig, Life Long Learning Unit. Funding for these tutors comes from CBAL, which is managed by community services. We have planned for Lorraine to visit all the groups and promote the non-vocational classes which are held in Adam Smith College, as many of the parents have enjoyed some of the activities.
Another local project with whom we work very closely is the Community Food Development Project. Stella Stewart has attended all the groups, giving information and 'tasting' sessions. Her workshops have included Eating Well, and Food for Mood. When she visited the Fair Isle group the parents all spoke about their issues around food e.g. cooking, budgeting, healthy eating. From this, we planned a 6 week 'hands-on' cookery programme, which includes information on nutrition, meal planning, budgeting, additives etc. The kitchen at Fair Isle nursery is taken over by this group and they chose which dishes they wanted to prepare. The 'basic' cookery course has been such a success that we are now onto an advanced 'second stage'. These parents have become much more confident, and as there was a lot of interest from other parents, a second cookery group now meets in the nursery with the original parents 'buddying' the beginners. They would like to start up a breakfast club for parents and we are putting forward a proposal to the Scottish Community Diet Project for funding to make this a reality.
As well as planning and facilitating these groups, the worker is also providing home based support. Some families ask for further information before coming into a group in their local area, while some require more intensive support, for themselves and their children. Some children have been referred to local youth clubs, Active Kids holiday provision or other activity based group e.g. Ti Kwon Do, YM Music Project. Other difficulties are passed onto the school nurses for further information or support. Some parents have been referred or signposted to specific agencies e.g. Money Advice, Gingerbread, Attention Fife, Enable Fife. Referrals to the Switch Off project have come from social services, school nurses, health visitors, community services, Victoria Family Centre and from families themselves.
Some parents are now participating in local training courses e.g. computing, adult education. Others are attending a local 'Keep Fit for Women' group. Many Switch Off parents attended the events which were held in Templehall Community Centre to celebrate International Women's Week.
Developments:
Many parents have commented that they are unsure or unaware of local services which could help support both themselves and their children. One of the developments of the Switch Off project is to produce a handbook/directory of local services and agencies. Anne Aberdein from Integrated Community Schools has provided funding to do this, and we are working with a YM Project Scotland volunteer with skills in graphic design to complete this.
Many parents who attend the groups have children with autism. Some of these families feel very isolated and have expressed an interest in forming a local support group for parents with children with this disability. Barbara Naumann, coordinator from Attention Fife agreed to work in partnership with Switch Off project to take this forward. We have formed a steering group with three parents and are applying for seedcorn funding from Fife Council to cover initial start-up costs.
We have also met with ICS to discuss the feasibility of forming a Grandparents Support Group. Some grandparents are very involved in bringing up grandchildren with a disability, others have parental rights but they have acknowledged the feelings of isolation and lack of information for themselves. The proposal for this group is in the very early stages.
Funding for the project has come from Changing Children's Services, NHS LHCC, local regeneration committee and community services. We are very grateful!
The Switch Off project is going from strength to strength. We have recently completed an evaluation with the parents and they have all been very positive.
If you would like more information either for yourself or anyone else, please contact:
June Knight or Rona Traill
Kirkcaldy Health Centre
Whytemans Brae
Kirkcaldy
KY1 2NS
Phone: 01592 266271
Email: juneknight@nhs.net