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Most families look forward to the approach of the weekend, but one couple always viewed it with dread.
That was until a new buddying scheme which matched disabled children with trained volunteers proved to be a “lifeline”.
Louise Green and her husband Jason, from Manchester, have two special-need children so finding activities they can all do all together is a real challenge.
Toby, seven, suffered a brain injury at birth, he has cerebral palsy, he can’t speak and has global development delay, which means he needs round-the-clock, one-to-one care.
His sister, Sophia, 11, has ADHD. While Sophia enjoys activities like going to the cinema, Toby prefers exploring the outdoors.
Louise and Jason struggled for years to find help and now disability charity Sense has come to their rescue with respite care every weekend.
Their buddying scheme sees trained volunteers matched with a young disabled person for fun activities.
Those who prefer to meet virtually on platforms like Zoom, take part in baking, watching movies and arts and crafts. It has been running for several years in London as well as other regions, but has recently launched in the north west.
Toby, who is matched with volunteer Johanna Lessmann, were the first pair in Manchester to use the scheme this spring.
They now meet every Saturday for three hours, doing activities like visiting Heaton Park, which is a favourite for Toby, or going to the museum.
Louise, 39, says: "The winter lockdown was really difficult with two special needs children in the house. We were stuck in the same four walls 24/7."
"But these outings with Johanna, break up Toby’s weekend. Just being at home for two days at the weekend can get a bit too much for him, it is a nice change of scenery for him.
"The service is so vital, it has opened up other opportunities for me. Friday would come and I would be wondering what to do with the children, we’re so limited on what we can do together."
Louise adds: "During winter Sophia was stuck indoors, mostly in her bedroom because we can’t take Toby to places like the cinema, he likes getting out of his wheelchair.
"I can now have more one-to-one time with Sophia, which she was missing out on and needs."
New research from Sense last month (JUNE) revealed 56 per cent of disabled people are chronically lonely or feel lonely often, rising to 7 in 10 in young disabled people.
But the charity says the issue has got much worse since the pandemic, with people shielding and cuts to care support leaving many people feeling cut off.
To help tackle social exclusion during lockdown, a virtual buddying service was set up, which now runs alongside their in-person sessions.
Louise, who gave up her job at an insurance company to care for Toby when he was a toddler, says she often goes days without seeing or speaking to any adults apart from Jason.
Johanna, who works in e-commerce, is now urging more people to sign-up to the scheme.
Johanna, 27, also from Manchester, says: “Before my studies, I looked after a child who was autistic and I really enjoyed looking after him.
"This scheme allows me to give back to society and the community and for me to make a difference to a family. It has been so nice to take Toby to different places while Louise can have time to herself and for Sophia.
"It makes you realise that for the family, having a disabled child is not just a temporary situation and it can be challenging and lonely.
"I take Toby to the park, where he likes to touch and see the animals and he can interact with other children in the playground.”
She adds: "Sense always try to buddy you up with someone who has similar interests, like me and Toby who both love the outdoors, you can meet as many times as you like, and not all the children have as complex disabilities."
Richard Kramer, chief executive at Sense says, the service has been a "lifeline" to many disabled people who have become isolated.
He adds: "We’re incredibly grateful to the generosity of our volunteers who keep the service running, and hope that more of the public come forward to volunteer as demand grows."
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Livia Evans and Amy Young
Making friends is particularly difficult for Livia Evans, who has autism.
She was often lonely and felt like she missed out on typical teenage life like eating out, or going to the cinema.
But the 18-year-old joined charity Sense’s virtual buddying scheme during the pandemic in October 2020 and was paired with Amy Young, 30.
They met over Zoom and took part in baking, Christmas card making, watching a movie and completing matching puzzles.
The pair, who are both Harry Potter and animal fans, now meet in person and often visit the museum, cafes, zoos and theatres.
A-level student Livia from East London says: "Lockdown was boring for me, I felt very lonely unfortunately. I don’t have many friends outside of school.
"One of our favourite things we’ve done is visit the Van Gogh exhibition, it was fascinating. We hope to visit the Harry Potter World. We do really adventurous things."
Livia’s mum Isabel, 50, says lockdown had affected Livia’s mental health but the buddying scheme provided a "positive outlet". She says Livia’s confidence has grown and now wishes other families can access the scheme.
Dad Darren, 51, added: "Livia often spent a lot of time in her room or going out with us, when she actually wanted to spend time with people closer to her own age. Meeting Amy has really helped with this.
"I can’t praise highly enough the effort that Amy puts into thinking of interesting activities for the two of them."
Amy, a physiotherapist from West London, says: “I really enjoy Livia’s company and think of her as a friend. Recently we have been going to more group events which is a great way for me to meet other volunteers and also to see how Livia’s confidence has grown over the last couple of years."
Oasi Hoque and Stefano Lachella
For Oasi Hoque joining disability charity Sense’s buddying scheme has given him the opportunity to become confident and independent.
He joined the programme in 2016, after immigrating from Italy in 2014 with his family.
Last year, Oasi, 14, was given a new buddying partner, Stefano Lachella, who is also Italian.
The pair, who both live in East London, meet fortnightly to eat lunch at Five Guys, go shopping at Westfield Centre and watch Marvel films at the cinema.
They’ve recently taken part in a bushcraft session at Spitalfields City Farm and during the pandemic Oasi attended virtual group buddying sessions.
Stefano, who works as a customer success manager, is now supporting Oasi while he learns more about travel and directions.
Oasi is wheelchair bound because he has a rare condition called pompe disease. He needs enzyme replacement therapy fortnightly.
Oasi says: "I am usually an indoor person so this has helped me get outdoors more."
Mum Rosy Akhter, 50, says life was “very difficult” when the family first moved to the UK, but the buddying scheme helped Oasi settle into his new life.
She adds: "With Oasi being in a wheelchair things aren’t accessible and it means he’s not able to get out and socialise as he would want."
Stefano, 34, says: "I like spending time with Oasi but I also wanted to give back to the community in London. I did something similar in Italy but not in the UK.
"It is definitely a good way to tackle loneliness and there is no pressure, it allows the volunteers and the young person to choose their own activities.
"We have been to the cinema quite a lot, because Oasi loves Marvel films, which is my first experience watching Marvel. I recommend watching the Batman film.
"As our relationship has grown I’ve taken him to breakfast or lunch, as I have to help feed him."
https://www.sense.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering-with-sense/
