CARE PROGRAMME

Click here for the 2012 Care Programme Calender

Care Programme - Helping Break The Isolation

Brainwave’s Care Programme consists of our annual family-friendly events, such as Camp Brainwave, our Family Days, Parents Dinners, and the Luna Park Christmas Parties. Held in both Vic and NSW these events aim to bring families together, where they can share their struggles and challenges, and ultimately make new friends.

The main focus of the Care Programme is to help break the isolation, which is often associated with caring for a disabled child. It is often extremely difficult to plan outings, coordinate mobility equipment, organise the other children/siblings, plus consider the cost of an outing when already burdened with ongoing medical costs. Compounding this is the weariness and exhaustion often faced in the ongoing daily routine, making it difficult to find the energy to go out.

Brainwave Australia’s Care Programme helps make it possible for families to attend fun, well-planned, interactive and inclusive family events where meals, entertainment, and other support is provided. Often these events are one of the few opportunities our families have to go out.

It is heart-warming to watch children and parents meet one another at these events; first with a short tentative awkwardness, then with a look of empathy that quickly builds into a bond of understanding. Some of these new friendships continue long after the event, either via email, Facebook, and via our own on-line forum called “Brainspace”, developed entirely for this purpose.

We are proud of the success of our Care Programme and look at ways of expanding it each year.
This valuable programme is only made possible by the funding provided by philanthropic organisations, as well as by the generous support and enthusiasm provided by our wonderful volunteers.

Testimonials from families who attended the 2011 Camp Brainwave in Vic:

“The camp has been absolutely wonderful! The staff and volunteers and YMCA staff were helpful, patient and giving. Thank you so much!” Adam, Narelle, Benjamin & Lachlan.

“The camp has been a very positive experience, time to relax and bond with new people and my family.” Leonard, Charmaine, Dylan & Emily

“The camp was amazing! It was great for our son Zen to meet other kids like him - he no longer feels like the only one. It’s so true that the focus was not on the illness but families! I loved the amount of free time too! Everyone was so understanding, and the level of support from the Volunteers and YMCA staff was amazing! We look forward to meeting our new friends at the Christmas party!” Alicia, Zen & Mai

“The highlight of the camp for us was meeting other families, as we live in a small town. Our son Isaac has had a really fun time and has made new friends. It has been good to have the Brainwave support network. The activities, Giant Swing, archery and salsa were really fun and something very different.” Stuart, Catherine, Max & Issac