There are organisations that will provide services to give families and friends a break from caring. These breaks can be anything from a few hours to a few weeks, and can often be arranged on a regular basis. Services that can provide breaks include day centres, the Social Services 'adult placement' scheme, and large and small residential homes that specialise in care and activities for people with learning disabilities. You can get more information from your nearest Social Services office . Details of residential and nursing homes that can offer short stays for people with learning disabilities are given in the Guide to Residential Care , published annually by Hampshire Social Services.
Day centres offer social activities for the people who attend, and regularly organise trips out.
Mencap Gateway runs recreation and leisure clubs all over Hampshire, both for children and adults. There are many national and local sports organisations, clubs and groups that cater for people of all ages, with all kinds of disabilities, including learning disabilities. A free Sports Guid e, produced by Hampshire County Council, lists all the sports clubs in Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton including those for disabled people. Putting your point of view Help and support Whenever you are dealing with any organisation you can ask someone to be with you at any discussion about what help or information you need. This can be a relative or friend or someone from another 'neutral' organisation.