10 September 2003
Jimmy and Una Ovens from Carnwath in Lanarkshire may think as themselves as ordinary folk, but to the care charity Quarriers their devotion over 13 years to a young man with profound learning difficulties has been outstanding.
The couple are approved carers for Quarriers' Fred Martin Project and were recognised at a recent Carers Celebration Day at the charity's headquarters. Since 1990 they have been looking after Stewart who is now 35.
The Ovens' have provided security, consistency and a caring and loving environment for Stewart in which he has developed and grown as an individual who is able to enjoy an ordinary life in the community.
Last October the family suffered a severe blow. Una, the main carer in the family, was told she needed to undergo surgery and have a heart transplant. This meant that Jimmy was no longer able to continue working and took early retirement in order to give Stewart the 24-hour care and attention he required.
Jimmy said: "This has been a very tough year for us, but giving up work to care for Stewart was the only option. He is part of our family now and we couldn't imagine life without him."
Una's daughter occasionally provides respite care for the family. She stays with Stewart while Una has her hospital check-ups and cares for him for a two-week holiday period each year. This helps to minimise the upheaval for Stewart and allows Jimmy and Una to have some free time together.
Else Wilson, project manager at The Fred Martin Project, commented: "It is amazing to see a family so committed and dedicated to the well-being of another person despite personal pressures and ill-health. The Ovens' are one of many families to whom we provide support as part of the project and it is very rewarding to see the work they do."
The Ovens family initially became involved with The Fred Martin Project after seeing an advert in the local paper asking people interested in caring in their own home to get in touch.
The project is named after the late professor, Fred Martin, Chair of Social Work at Glasgow University, who was deeply interested in the welfare of people with learning disabilities. The project began in 1985 to give young people the opportunity to move from long stay hospital into the community. Firstly they lived in small, staffed houses and later with carers such as Mr and Mrs Oven's who were recruited by staff from the Fred Martin Project and underwent almost 18 months of interviewing, training and preparation for their role. Quarriers originally asked carers for a commitment of 4 or 5 years but virtually all of the carers who were recruited have gone on to provide a home and support well beyond that time scale.
Respite carers are also recruited to provide up to 6 weeks respite care to give the main carers a break and provide new opportunities for the young person. Many respite carers have provided support for a number of years now and sometimes for more than one individual. This respite care is a vital and valuable support to main care families and new respite carers are always welcome.
For further information on the Fred Martin Project please contact the Project Manager Else Wilson on Tel: 0141 954 1010
ENDS
Notes to Editor:
Quarriers, Scotland's third largest care charity, was established in 1871 at Bridge of Weir, it now provides services from around 70 bases in west central and northeast Scotland. Quarrier's staff support hundreds of children, disadvantaged young people, families and adults who have disabilities.
This information and further details from Jane Smith, The Business, public relations support to Quarriers: T: 0131 718 6022 F: 0131 718 6145
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