Befriending Parents

Tony Smart

Giving families of disabled folk a fair break...

Families in the Hemel area with handicapped children are being given a new lease of life thanks to a scheme called Befriending Parents. And BP Oil employees in the town are playing a major role in helping the scheme develop.

Last year they donated £1,000 to Befriending Parents and they have pledged to raise a similar amount each year. Says BP Oil's Tony Smart (above), who serves on the steering committee of Befriending Parents:

"We hope to raise the money through a series of raffles, competitions, bring and buy sales and the like. The cash is needed to meet the host of administrative costs associated with the scheme, everything from telephone calls and stationery to travel­ling expenses for the volun­teers who visit the families."

These volunteers are called `befrienders' and so far ten of them have been matched up with families who have a mentally or physically handi­capped child.

The aim is to act as friends and sympathisers to these parents who have more than their fair share of problems bringing up a family.

Organisers still do not have nearly as many volunteers as they would like and are anxious that people do not mistake the purpose of the scheme.

As a volunteer, no one is expected to cope with a handi­capped child. The role is a supportive one and volun­teers act as companions and sometimes someone to lean on for these busy parents.

The help provided might be an evening baby-sitting while the parents have a rare night out or a few hours driving people on hospital visits.

The co-ordinator of Befriending Parents is Barbara Bradley, herself the mother of an 11-year-old severely handicapped child.

Although he is a full-time job, he is not demanding or worrying, but he does get bored. This is why Barbara is often worried. "I feel guilty if I feel I am not stimulating his interest," she says.

This is where Barbara's own `befriender', Ann Hubball is such a godsend. Her presence enables Barbara to be able to relax and forget the responsibility for a time. Just to go off on her own for an hour or two, to go shopping or visit the hairdresser without worrying is a relief.

It also enables Barbara to get down to the business of linking volunteers with families.

"You don't need to be experienced or specialised to help in our scheme. It's commonsense that matters all the time," she says.

Befriending Parents was formed in November 1981 as a result of the International Year of Disabled People. It developed throughout 1982 and it is hoped that this year it will go from strength to strength.

The support given by BP Oil employees in Hemel is much appreciated but, of course, more support is always needed.

If you would like further details of the scheme, please contact Tony Smart in room 110 (extension 460).

Taken from BP Oil News - January 1983