Cedar’s Short Break Services provide one to one social and emotional support to children and young people to enable them to develop friendships and access social and recreational opportunities at home or within their local community, whilst providing parents and carers with a regular short break. It provides individual support to children and young people with complex disabilities & healthcare needs, autism, and brain injury.

Apart from our weekly one to one service we also regularly liaise with our partners in the Western Health and Social Care Trust to provide small group special events and activities for our young people. This year we have provided small group activities across the Western Trust area including our Easter Fun Day with an Easter Egg Hunt, face painting and bouncy castle, we also had a range of Summer activities bringing together young people, who may normally have difficulty meeting and engaging with others to have fun and games and below are some pictures from a recent spooky trip to the Ulster American Folk Park to celebrate Halloween. We are currently planning our December activities that will include a visit from a certain person in a big red suit.

What support is provided?

Short Breaks is delivered on a weekly or fortnightly basis and can take place within the family home or local community.

The service provides parents and carers with: 

• A regular short break from care 
• The opportunity for time to themselves to go shopping, meet friends, go to the hairdressers, have some well-earned rest or simply catch up on household tasks 
• A consistent and reliable service delivered by individuals who they can trust to take care of their child and their child’s needs. And provides children and young people with 
• The opportunity to have fun; take part in planned activities of their choice outside of the family environment or engage in interactive and sensory play within the family home 
• The opportunity to meet new people, develop new friendships and to take part in social opportunities available within their local community

Click link for our 'Short-Breaks' webpage: Short breaks | The Cedar Foundation (cedar-foundation.org)

How to get involved:

The Short Break service is delivered in partnership with the 5 Health & Social Care Trusts across Northern Ireland and referral to the service comes solely from the

Children’s Disability Team or other identified Health & Social Care representatives. 

T: 02890 461834 or 028 71 360136 

Email: [email protected]