Depending on the age of your child you can access either group activities or individual support.

Individual Support

The Oaklea Individual Support Service is for children aged 0 - 8 years and is for families who aren’t currently in receipt of any other care managed package from Social Services or Direct Payments. This service is delivered by Oaklea to families living within the South Lakeland and Furness areas of Cumbria; in partnership with Carlisle & Eden Mencap.

The service provides up to 2 hours of 1:1 support each week for up to 9 months. To access this service a referral needs to be made to Oaklea via either health or social care professionals, or directly by the family.

Short Breaks

Oaklea’s short breaks programme is designed to give children and young people with disabilities a variety of supported activities to take part in.

Using local venues, we run a variety of after school term time clubs and activities. During school holidays we offer a range of full and half day sessions such as bowling and fun days. Group activities are available for young people with disabilities aged 9 - 19.

Parents and carers can have a real break whilst children can make friends, learn new skills and have fun!

Oaklea work with local providers to ensure that a range of quality activities to suit all ages, abilities and interest are offered. To access these services and to directly receive information on activities, please complete and return our membership form. You can download the membership form from the website. Oaklea work in partnership with Carlisle & Eden Mencap, with funding from Cumbria County Council to offer a range of activities to suit all ages, abilities and interests. For more information you can view our Short Breaks leaflet here.

Wishlist

Oaklea’s Wishlist is a fund which provides grants to disadvantaged people, or people with disabilities.

The Wishlist criteria changes every 12 months. The current criteria is aimed at children and young people up to the age of 21, who are disadvantaged or have disabilities (and must reside in the North of England - Cumbria, Durham, Northumberland or Lancashire).Through Wishlist, we aim to fund equipment, education, and/or leisure for the promotion of independence and to help young people reach developmental milestones.

Wishlist can help to fund:

• Equipment such as specially adapted laptops
• Opportunities such as education and trips
• A well earned break for carers
• Confidence building and development of skills for daily life

Wishlist is maintained solely by donations and fundraising. If you would like to help us fund more grants, you can get involved and raise some money! Visit our fundraising pages here or get in touch on 01539 735025.

How do I access Oaklea’s support?

Referrals to any activities can be made by families directly or via Health and Social Care professionals.

If you live in South Lakeland or Furness and would like to find out more about the activities we provide, please contact our customer advice team on 01539 735025 or enquiries@oakleatrust.co.uk

Oaklea also offer individual support to children of families who are not in receipt of support through a care managed package or Direct Payments. Children aged 8 years or under can receive support for up to 8 hours per month, on a flexible basis lasting up to 9 months. This is designed to enable parents/carers to have some time for themselves or with other members of the family and it’s free to access.

We update our Facebook page regularly with news on events and activities: www.Facebook.com/OakleaTrustShortBreaks