About
A Bit of Background
On behalf of vulnerable individuals with additional complex needs - thank you for reading this.
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Free to be Me aims to be a Wirral & West Cheshire based charity supporting vulnerable people with complex additional needs and their families/carers. Launching in 2021 to address the serious lack of provision for people with severe and challenging learning disabilities in times of crisis, we aim to provide two key services:
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Emergency crisis support for the individual and their families and carers. A purpose built facility with the aim of providing temporary specialist accommodation, care and support to the individual and their families and carers with specialist resources including sensory rooms and family liaison. This facility will have support staff on hand as well as accommodation for families and carers. The accommodation will provide therapeutic provision, specialist staff, a safe environment and a peaceful setting where an individual with complex additional needs can feel safe, supported and calmed. This site could be developed to provide independent supported living as a specialist residential service for those aged 18+ and/or be emergency crisis support. There are a number of possibilities for this site and we can respond to need in both Wirral and Cheshire West & Chester.
An information centre where families and carers can access information relating to support available, financial information, emotional and health concerns, housing and mental health. This will be available as a ‘hub’ on site, online and over the telephone 24/7.
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We have a site earmarked on the border of Wirral with Cheshire West and Chester in Parkgate. It is set in beautiful, quiet countryside with breath-taking views and scenery all around and will provide the perfect setting for the vision of the charity, where people who need a quiet, safe space and their families can access the help and support they need. Initial plans have been drawn up for the development of the centre and we are ready to get started.
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There is no similar provision available on Wirral or in Cheshire West and Chester. Families/carers of those with complex additional needs urgently require the right support in times of crisis. We aim to be the lifeline they can rely on, where they can access key information and appropriate support, where they will not feel judged or isolated and where they can give themselves the time to recover, build strength and hope for the future.
We wish to discuss opportunities for involvement with both councils, including discussion around funding for the project.
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We are looking forwards to building hope for individuals and their families with your help, where they are free to be them.
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The Free to be Me Team – George, Gill, Mike, Barry, Sue, Mike, Andy, Allen, Kara, Heather, Eilish & Danny.