Cedar's Short Breaks service has been hailed as a lifeline for one of its young service users, who has thrived since getting support. 

Short Breaks is a service that provides children and young people with disabilities, autism and brain injury with the opportunity to engage in social and recreational activities within the family home or local community. It includes: Arts & Crafts, Sensory Play, Local soft play, Play Parks, Forest Parks, Cinema, Bowling, Trampoline Parks, & Local Library visits. 

Our Short Breaks team prides itself on the work they deliver, and is always overjoyed at the feedback we receive. 

Ashley, who received support of the service for her son (pictured above) and family, spoke about the work that Short Breaks' have done for her, in particular, staff members Carrieann and Natalia. 

“This service has been a life line to me and my family," Ashley said. "I have had challenges in getting support for my son from 2022 and Carrieann provided me with support and direction on how to ensure my son had access to this service.

"From day 1 Carrieann and Natalia have been very supportive and this service has been fantastic. My son experienced high anxiety, and since Natalia has been working with him I see a new side to him. He is happy for me to leave the house and at times he plays & interacts with his sister, which is something I never thought I'd see.”

She added: “Natalia has genuinely been a lifeline & blessing to us at such a difficult time. My dad was in the last months of his life when the support started & I kept Natalia informed about this, as obviously she needed to know & it would impact on my son. Natalia has shown such grace & care towards him & our family’s needs. Natalia is genuine & presents with such enthusiasm every time that she comes to our home & this shows in the relationship that my son has developed with her & the trust that has been established.

"Natalia’s practice is impeccable & she is clearly in her rightful vocation. My son adores Natalia & looks forward to her coming, he gets so excited & shares his excitement with family & school staff that ‘Natalia is coming, I'm so excited’. He is content for me to leave the home & no longer presents as anxious when I leave, which is huge!

"Natalia is very creative & loves to explore his Lego creations with him which he loves. We as a family have witnessed really positive improvements with my son's play within the home when Natalia isn’t even here & he has initiated some play with his sister, myself and his dad, this is so huge for us & we are so proud of him. Thank you for helping support us 😊”  

Find out more about Short Breaks here.