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Founded in 2005, The Daisychain Foundation has the clear objective of supporting families living with children with special needs. Over 25,000 families in Ireland are caring for a child with an intellectual or physical disability, with little opportunity for respite care for either the child or the carer.
In 2005, the Time for You programme was launched by patron of the foundation, The Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson. The programme, in association with Choice Hotels Ireland and the National Parents and Siblings Alliance, offered over 1,000 complimentary hotel stays to families and carers around Ireland. Working with local service providers, these families were given the opportunity to take a deserved break from the pressures of caring at home. Offering a choice one of 9 Clarion Hotels and Quality Hotels Ireland the programme has been an outstanding success and will be continued in 2006/2007.
In further pursuit of respite opportunities, the foundation has funded an in-depth research project, by The Child and Family Institute in Galway, who will return with findings in the area of respite in order for The Daisychain Foundation to channel funds into progressive respite projects.
In tandem with these projects, the Foundation is also to fund the production of a Disability Awareness educational DVD, with a focus on inclusion and understanding of special needs. This programme is aimed at a wide range of sectors, including education and business, and will be launched in March 2007.
The link between The Daisychain Foundation and Choice Hotels Ireland is Frankie Whelehan – CEO of Choice Hotels Ireland and founder of the Daisychain Foundation. The leading Irish hotel group owns and operates 9 hotels in Ireland and the UK, under the international brands Clarion Hotels.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME In September 2005, over 500 complimentary bedrooms at Clarion Hotels, Quality Hotels and Comfort Inns were distributed to families living with a disabled child or adult. Over 250 two night breaks were taken throughout Ireland, by parents and siblings of children with disabilities, some taking the opportunity to travel with or without their child. In 2006, the programme welcomed an increase of the allocation of bed nights to 1000, to be distributed to a wider net of disability groups, based on the tremendous success of the programme in 2005. WHO IS ELIGIBLE? With the sole objective of offering a break to Irish families living with disabilities and special needs, the Time For You programme is open to all familiies of people with intellectual or physical disabilities. WHAT IS OFFERED? The programme offers families a 2 night hotel stay at one of 23 Clarion Hotels, Quality Hotels or Comfort Inns in Ireland ( see www.choicehotelsireland.ie ). Breakfast and meals are not included. Stays are offered between October and December(SEASON 1), and January and April(SEASON 2). HOW IT WORKS? The Daisychain Foundation works with a nominated list of Service Providers and Parents Support Groups, who submit requests on behalf of their members. Details of the next programme ( SEASON 1 2007/8) will be released to these groups in May 2007. Only applications from this nominated list will be accepted. |
