• A break for carers \ A holiday for service users

Respite provides carers with an important break from their role, while at the same time allowing service users to have a holiday with their peers. We receive an average of 3,500 requests for respite a year.

How to I request respite?

 To request respite, liase with your family member's Head of Unit or Social Worker, who will coordinate your request.

 Community Respite: A home from home

• In the community
• Small groups: up to five service users per house
• Planned programme of social activities
• Flexible schedules: Monday to Friday, weekend or tailored to meet the family's needs  

Holidays: A holiday with friends

• Different types of holidays for groups of friends organised by their units, including school holiday camps
• Abroad or in Ireland

 Host Family Placement: A home with friends

• Respite with a host family
• Host families are vetted and trained
• Service users are matched to the family
• Building relationships between families

If you are interested in becoming a host Family

Host family Care is now a very important part of the organisation’s menu of community based  respite services. Host Families provide short breaks to an adult or child in the host family’s own home.

Host families undergo an assessment, Garda and reference checks, and are provided with ongoing support, training and financial allowance.

If you are interested in applying to become a host family contact Fidelma Kelly 8770550 or email Fidelma.kelly@smh.ie