Fife Respite Charity Seeks Volunteers

A Fife-based charity providing respite for families of disabled children is looking for volunteers.

The Lend A Hand scheme is run by Enable Scotland, and provides family-based care to youngsters with learning disabilities.They want people who can offer anything from two hours to two days a month. Volunteers provide parents with a break, while giving the child access to activities in their community that they may not otherwise have the opportunity to experience.

Corin Wiscombe and his family from Kirkcaldy have benefited from the initiative. The seven year attends Rosslyn School and was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.

When Corin was five, Liz started scouring the internet for support services which would open up new opportunities for Corin, and allow her and her husband to devote more time to their other children. The family’s doctor gave her a leaflet about Enable Scotland, which led her to the Lend a Hand project. Since October 2012, short break carers Louise and Sam Foster have been supporting Corin.

Initially, he enjoyed day visits with the couple once a month and, since May 2013, this has developed into overnight stays.

Liz said: “We had managed on our own since Corin was diagnosed five years ago, but things were becoming a bit much. As Corin was getting older, more behavioural challenges developed. He was getting more frustrated and had more meltdowns. He was facing more new things and was finding it difficult to adapt to unfamiliar environments.

“We couldn’t take him out much because it completely stressed him. That’s hard when you have so many kids because there is barely any flexibility about what you can do as a family.

“We’re so happy with how things are going. Louise and Sam now have Corin staying for a full weekend once a month, which he loves."