“A SHORT BREAK – A BIG DIFFERENCE!”
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Caring for a child with developmental disabilities or a person with a disability is often a 24-hour job that lasts for years, without a real break. Such constant responsibility can seriously exhaust parents and carers – emotionally, physically and mentally. The respite services provided by the “Respite from Care” project are not just logistical help – they change the everyday life of families and protect their stability.
PROJECT GOAL:
The project “A Short Break – a Big Difference!” develops innovative social services which, through overnight stays, half-day and day care, and assistance in the family home, will support parent carers/carers, reducing their pressure and exhaustion. Children and persons with disabilities will be provided with a safe and supportive environment in which they can develop socially and adapt. The goal of the project is to improve the quality of life of users and their families by providing tailored services, creative workshops and various activities, with long-term social inclusion and support.
PROJECT PARTNER:
“Ivan Štark” Centre for Education, Osijek
TYPES OF SERVICES WITHIN THE PROJECT:
Day care (Vukovar)
As part of day care, users are offered structured and adapted workshops that encourage the development of cognitive, social and motor skills. The activities include creative workshops, educational games, music and art activities, as well as guided physical exercise. Through a daily routine, users develop independence, acquire life skills and take an active part in joint activities.
Half-day care (Vukovar and Osijek)
Half-day care lasts up to four hours a day and includes educational, recreational and social activities. Professional staff work with users on developing everyday skills, such as personal hygiene, preparing simple meals, recognising emotions and expressing needs, free play, walks, etc.
Home visits and assistance (Vukovar)
A team of professionals comes to the user’s home to provide individualised support – including counselling for parents and work with children and persons with disabilities through developmental exercises, communication games and support in everyday activities. Parents get short-term relief, while users remain in a familiar and safe environment.
Overnight stays (Vukovar)
Overnight stays provide safe and structured overnight accommodation for children and persons with disabilities. During the evening, users take part in relaxing and fun activities such as reading, sensory play, light exercise and getting ready for bed. In the morning, with professional support, users get ready to continue with their daily obligations.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE “RESPITE FROM CARE” SERVICE
In a society in which the everyday lives of parents and carers of children with developmental disabilities and persons with disabilities often go unnoticed, it is important to point out how much a single moment of respite can mean to a family. Caring for a child who needs additional attention and support is not only a physical challenge – it is an emotional and psychological journey that goes on without end. While most parents know the tiredness that comes with raising children, parents of children with disabilities know that tiredness in a far deeper, unceasing form – one that does not stop when the child falls asleep, that lasts in their sleep, in their thoughts and in their worries. Services that provide “respite from care” do not mean just an organised activity or an hour of freedom – they represent trust entering everyday life. When parents know that their child is in a safe place, surrounded by professional staff who do not only look after the child but also actively include, teach and empower them, one key thing happens – the parent begins to breathe.
The mental health of parents in such circumstances is often impaired, and not because of a lack of love for the child, but because of permanent exhaustion and the feeling that they have to do everything on their own. Constant worry can lead to anxiety, depression and even physical consequences such as chronic fatigue, insomnia and isolation. When parents are given space to rest, take care of basic needs or simply spend time without constant responsibility, their sense of personal identity slowly returns. They are no longer just “carers” – they become partners, friends and individuals with their own thoughts, needs and feelings again.
In such an environment, family dynamics change too. Help with care often results in better communication among family members. Parents are more patient and emotionally available, and relationships with spouses and the other children in the family get room to grow and renew. The brother or sister of a child with disabilities no longer feels that everything else has to stop – they, too, become seen and important again. Furthermore, the children and persons with disabilities themselves also feel the benefits of being included in structured activities – they learn, socialise, develop skills and build self-confidence in an environment that approaches them with understanding and professional support. Although the service serves as a “break for the parent”, it is at the same time an opportunity for the user to make progress and feel their own value outside the family home.
That is why it is important to emphasise – respite from care is not a luxury. It is an investment in the emotional sustainability of a family. It is a way to prevent burnout, to preserve mental health and to keep the family together – functional, connected and able to love without the burden of exhaustion. Every service that makes such support possible is not just help – it is a message to the family that they are not alone. And it is precisely in that message that the strength of a community that recognises, respects and cares lies.
PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION PERIOD
16 April 2025 – 16 October 2026, 18 months
TOTAL PROJECT VALUE
EUR 149,520.00
CO-FINANCING
The grant amounts to 100%, of which 5% comes from the State Budget of the Republic of Croatia and 95% from the European Social Fund Plus.
CONTACT
Daria Smajić, project coordinator,
E-mail: organizacijskajedinica1@vukovarski-leptirici.hr
Mobile: 091 586 7828
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect the official positions of the European Union or the European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the European Commission can be held responsible for them.
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