Mayors reception for Short Breaks Carers

Dare Hughes, Mayor of Newry and Mourne District Council has hosted a reception to recognise the work of Short Breaks Carers in supporting families who have children with a disability.  

Short Breaks Carers across the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area provide parents with regular breaks from caring, whilst also providing children with new experiences and opportunities with another family or carer.

Speaking at the event Mayor Hughes said “This is an excellent service for families and gives them the opportunity to avail of respite/short breaks which I am sure is very much needed and gives parents the opportunity to recharge their batteries.

 It also provides the child with a disability the opportunity to have a break, as many children with disabilities do not have the same social opportunities as other young people.

This service is an invaluable asset within our District and this is why I am delighted to host this reception tonight. 

It is a great honour to recognise carers, who in my opinion have a vocation to dedicate their lives to caring for others.

I want to thank each and everyone of you for the service you provide and you are an example to everyone”.

Thanking the Mayor for the reception, Lesley Waugh, Locality Head of Specialist Child Health and Disability Services for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said: “Short breaks are frequently requested by parents of disabled children to help them continue to care, 

so these carers are hugely valued by families. Of course the families and we in the Trust know about the amazing work that the carers and all the staff in children’s disability services do behind the scenes, but we are delighted that the Mayor is paying them this very public honour and giving them the recognition they deserve for improving the lives of local families.” 


 There are no necessary qualifications or experience needed to be a Short Break Carer, just energy and commitment to support a disabled child and their family.  

The Trust is looking for all kinds of people as carers. They may be single or have a partner, be young or older, working, retired or unemployed and may or may not have children of their own.