 The Siblings’ Group at Caring Today
Why have we started this scheme?
Caring Today has started a new scheme catering for the needs of the siblings of disabled children. This has been established to recognise that these children also have needs.
Most of us grow up with one or more brother or sister. How we get on with them can influence the way we develop and what sort of people we become.
As young children we may spend more time with our brothers and sisters than with our parents. Relationships with our siblings are likely to be the longest we have and can be important throughout our adult lives too.
In previous times, children with a disability or long-term illness may have spent long periods in hospital or have lived there permanently. Today nearly all children, whatever their disability spend most of their time with their family. This means that their contact with their brother and sisters is more continuous. So it is not surprising that parents have recently been wanting to talk about the importance of siblings and the ups and downs of their daily lives and to seek advice about handling the difficulties that can sometimes arise.
The issues that often crop up for siblings of a disabled child
- Limited time and attention from parents
- Worrying about bringing friends home
- Stressful situations at home
- Restrictions on family activities
- Guilt about being angry with a disabled brother or sister
- Embarrassment about a brother or sister in public
- Teasing or bullying about a brother or sister
- Protectiveness about a very dependent or ill brother or sister
- Concerns about the future
The service for the Siblings at Caring Today
Caring Today provides a very unique service for the siblings of disabled children.
Here is a list of some of the things we do:
- Children within the age range of 5 to 14 take part
- The group meet weekly for 2 hours over 12 weeks and plus further reunions
- The group offers a mixture of recreation, socialising, discussion and activities such as games and role play: the emphasis is on self expression and enjoyment
- Trips and parties are planned which help the children enjoy themselves and relax
- Confidentiality within the group is emphasised
- The group is encouraged to feel the group is theirs, deciding on rules and activities
We can help you…
If you are a sibling of a disabled child and you meet our criteria, we can help you. Please contact us.
You can help us…
If you have any ideas for our Siblings group regarding any activities or trips that would be suitable for our scheme then we would love to hear from you!
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