A new short-break service for disabled children
A new short-term residential facility for disabled children, which opened in Hafnarfjörður this autumn, was formally opened this week when staff and the group who made the idea a reality came together. The first children started their settling-in period in September, and the facility has already been running successfully for some time.
The children get a change of scenery and opportunities outside the home.
„This new short-term stay facility here at Svöluhraun is a necessary addition to the resources already available. It is therefore safe to say that this is a major moment for our community and for all those who work in and are passionate about the task of ensuring the welfare of our children and those who need support the most,“ said Sigurður Nordal, Director of Administration and Deputy Mayor, when the new short-term stay at Svöluhrauni was formally opened this week.
Sigurður stepped in for Rósa, who was recovering from an operation on her hand after breaking it in two in a slip on some ice. Rósa then turned up today with a sprained wrist and celebrated the milestone with the staff.
Guðrún Halldórsdóttir, Director, and Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, Mayor.
Four children are in the short-term care at any one time, and their stay is variable and tailored to their needs. The short-term stay at Svöluhrauni provides individuals with long-term support needs an opportunity to receive care and support in a safe and warm environment. The stay can be either regular or for a specific period only.
Therefore, the length of stay can vary depending on each individual's circumstances, often from a few days to several weeks. This new short-term stay allows for greater flexibility and support than ever before for families of disabled children.
Rest and recreation for the children
Guðrún Halldórsdóttir is in charge of the short-term stay, and she has extensive and long-standing experience of working with disabled people.
„During a short stay at Svöluhraun, we offer rest and recreation, assistance and guidance with activities of daily living. The service is designed to relieve the pressure on the families of disabled children and to give the children a change and an opportunity to enjoy themselves in a place away from home,“ she says.
This new service is an important addition to the resources already available. Short-term stays at Hnotubergi can be mentioned, but they are for adults with disabilities who still live at home with their parents.
Residents of Hafnarfjörður have also had access to the short-stay accommodation in Móaflat in Garðabær for children, and the halfway house in Hrauntunga in Kópavogur for adults with disabilities living in their parents' homes. The new short-term accommodation will mean that the group on the waiting list for short-term accommodation can be catered for.
More than just a resource for children
„The short-term stay at Svöluhraun is more than just a facility – it is a home where children can get temporary respite and recreation away from their own home in a safe and warm environment,“ Sigurður said at the opening.
„That's where you, the staff, play the biggest role. For loved ones and families, the service provides increased flexibility and much-needed respite, as otherwise, the strain and responsibility of having a disabled child with long-term support needs can be overwhelming. We are committed to providing excellent support for these families and homes, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy themselves,“ he said.
„As a local authority, we are proud to offer this service in our local area.“ With the introduction and development of short-term stays, a real need would be met.
„Now our residents who need it have the opportunity to enjoy the service in their own town, right here in Hafnarfjörður.“