FOR more than a decade, a respite care group in Ulverston has handed a lifeline to parents of disabled children who are in desperate need.

For many the arrival of the 23 Hart Street Centre in 2002 could not have come sooner due to the "huge demand" for extra support in the area. Assistant manager at the centre, Lynn Moralee, said their role was to make sure youngsters received the vital help they needed and stayed out of full-time care.

She said: "There was a huge demand for respite care for children in the area.

"Part of our aim is to help young people and keep them out of care. A couple of days respite care every month can make a huge difference."

The team at Hart Street work with children who have a range of mental or physical disabilities. Depending on their needs a child can stay overnight at the centre up to four times a month. Mrs Moralee says for parents struggling with work or other children, this brief rest can be life-changing.

She said: "Before 2002 they had to go to Penrith. There wasn't any other service apart from somebody going to do a few hours a week. For a lot of parents this service helps them so much, it really does.

"Some of them said they couldn't manage without us."

Currently there are 18 full and part-time staff who care for 42 children aged eight to 18. There is a short waiting list to use the facility but according to Mrs Moralee they are able to cope with the area's demands.

Staff at the centre are trained to deal with a broad spectrum of disabilties. This is also reflected by the facilities at Hart Street which include an outdoor play area, as well as an indoor sensory room and soft play area.

Hart Street was purpose-built for locals to use. Mrs Moralee said it was "incredibly rewarding" to see how far they have come and how valued their work is.

She said: "A lot of the staff joined in 2002. We have a very low turnover. It's reassuring for the children. Staff usually leave when they retire.

"It's a great place to work and it's really rewarding."

What is respite care and who provides it?

Respite care is the name given when primary caregivers take a break from their responsibilities.

For parents of disabled youngsters it can be an exhausting challenge providing care alongside work and other commitments.

By providing temporary care, organisations such as 23 Hart Street provide life-changing support for parents who would otherwise be overwhelmed by the stress of full-time care.

Since February this year, Carlisle Mencap has been in charge of running services in Ulverston. The money used to run the service still comes from Cumbria County Council, but how it is spent is determined by Mencap, local staff, and parents who use the service.