Melissa joined Julia’s House in February 2005 as a bank community carer in Dorset. During that time, she’s had many roles but more recently as a Family Support Worker. “Supporting parents where there is specific need: emotional support like meeting for a cuppa and a chat, helping them complete essential grant applications, signposting families to specialist help and organising or hosting events for the families.”
Specialised Care
During her tenure she’s witnessed a lot of change, but most notably “more children with really complex needs requiring more specialised care, which in turn puts additional pressure on exhausted families trying to manage everyday life.”
And right now, with the rising financial burden on UK households, parents are more worried than ever, as they watch their rent, mortgages, heating, clothing, and food bills soar. Melissa adds: “Many children we care for are on ventilators and other lifesaving equipment, increasing their use of electricity even more.”
Which often means no spare money for the specialist equipment children with complex conditions need. This is where Julia’s House comes into its own and care staff can really help make a difference.
Support Comes in Many Guises
“We can help obtain grants for equipment such as a rain and sun canopy for a specialised buggy and a fixed hoist as well as supporting in other ways - driving lessons for parents, memorable family days out, fuel costs and a laptop so a family can manage the mountain of paperwork for their child.”
For carers like Melissa, every day at Julia’s House is different and every day incredibly varied, they might be helping a parent complete a complicated application form one minute, research equipment grants the next or be sitting down with a parent for a much-needed chat.
Working together is so important, encouraging one another in their various roles: “Just ‘being there’ for one another is paramount, so that we can further support our families.”
A Memorable Moment
One of the moments that sticks in Melissa’s memory is “seeing parents grow in confidence from when they first attended an event, to seeing them chatting to other new parents, giving advice and support.”
Better than Anything
For Melissa, it’s invaluable as a care giver to “have the opportunity to offer wider support to the whole family. I wouldn't change my role for anything!”