Home extension drops in!

John and Debbie Carey will be looking to the sky on Tuesday 28 November as a 60 foot crane lowers an extension to their home into the back garden.

The couple of Lymington Close, Alkrington, provide overnight care for children like seven-year-old girl, Abi O’Shea, who has cerebral palsy.

Abi regularly stays with John and Debbie and the extension, known as a MultiLink 2, contains all the facilities needed to look after her now she is getting older and it is becoming more difficult for her to move safely and easily around the Carey’s home.

What’s more, the extension means that the couple can now provide similar care for to up to eight more children.

Debbie has given work as a teaching assistant and volunteer carer to provide care for children with severe disabilities, as part of the Take-a-Break Scheme, a partnership between the Children’s Catholic Rescue Society and the Council.

Once the extension arrives, it will be fitted to the Carey’s home, a process that will take a few days. When finished, it will match the home right down top the colour of the brickwork.

Debbie said: “I wanted to do more work with children with special needs but my house was unsuitable because I needed downstairs accommodation and a lot more specialist equipment.

“I’m thrilled that we have been approved to be the MultiLink 2 carers and we are really excited about the arrival of the extension. It is fantastic to think that once it is in place we will be able to help at least four more families.”

Steve Titcombe, Head of the Council’s Child Care Service, said: “We are always on the lookout for new ways to meet the needs of disabled children.

“This is a huge boost for children with complex disabilities and their families living in the borough. The MultiLink 2 extension will enable Debbie and her family to offer six to eight children regular overnight short break care with specialist facilities in a family setting.”

Glen Olalla, the Resource Manager for the service, explained: “For the past two years MultiLink 1 has successfully provided short break care to severely disabled children and their families from the carer's home in Heywood.

“The modular design of the MultiLink 2 extension represents value for money for the service as it can be moved to another site should Debbie and John cease to be foster carers in the future.”

A section of Lymington Close will need to be closed for a short time while the MultiLink 2 is lowered into position.

If you think you can regularly offer a short break for a few days a month to a disabled child or care full-time in an adapted property like Debbie’s, please contact the Take-a-Break Scheme for more details on (01706) 646760.