Community Integrated Care Welcomes Runcorn MP

Community Integrated Care, was last week delighted to welcome MP for Weaver Vale, Graham Evans to its Runcorn-based care service, Bredon Respite.

Bredon Respite Care Service, which is based in Palacefields, provides short-term respite care for adults, aged 18-65, with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. After seeing Bredon featured in a local newspaper, Graham contacted the service’s Registered Manager, Gill Evans, personally, to express his delight with the contribution that Bredon Respite makes to the Halton and wider communities, and to arrange a visit to the service.

Graham was given a guided tour of the service on Wednesday (28^th May) by Gill, and Support Workers Deborah Studley and Alison Dybell, who talked him through the assistive technologies used, and the therapeutic benefits these offer to guests. He was then shown the service’s beautifully developed accessible gardens, which include a mural depicting the Halton community, designed by local artist Natalie McGahan.

When asked by Mr Evans what they loved most about their careers, the Bredon team described their passion for making a difference to the lives of the people they support, and giving their loved ones the well-earned rest they need from their caring responsibilities.

Gill described the effect this break can have on a families, particularly when they have not used respite services before; explaining that there can be a great deal of anxiety around leaving a loved one for the first time. In most cases these concerns are short-lived, and families often find that respite care transforms their lives, as knowing that their loved one is safe and happy at Bredon brings them a lot of comfort and security.

Not only does this allow them to make plans for the future that they had previously been unable to do, such as going on holidays, but it also gives them the opportunity to meet other families who use the service.

Registered Manager Gill says: “It has been wonderful to welcome Graham to Bredon, and we’re thrilled to be able to show him some of the great support we provide here. Graham understands how important it is to have services that enrich the local community, so for him to support and commend our work is a real honour for us all.”