All over the island of Ireland, parents, siblings and carers of children with disability often face the desolation of a reality devoid of respite. Thousands of families who lovingly care for their disabled child at home are living with the, often harsh, realities of meeting their child’s special needs: 24 hour vigilance, endless patience, physical endurance and emotional heartache.

Angels Quest was born in 1996 by Deirdre Kelly out of the anguish and frustration of many of these families who are living lives of quiet desperation and isolation, which bears little resemblance to what is recognised as “normal” family life.

Respite care allows parents –

• a vital rest
• relief from the physical and emotional stress of constant daily care
• time to deal with illness or crisis of another member of the family
• to spend quality time with other children and relatives
• an opportunity to socialise with friends
• peace of mind

For the children, it means the opportunity to make friends in safe and comforting surroundings, to avail of group and educational activities, and to exert their independence in a home-from-home environment. There is international consensus that respite care is now the primary service-need of families and children with a disability.

The ‘core business’ of Angels Quest is the provision of respite care homes for special needs children from the ages of 2 to 16. This is done through partnership with organisations that have similar aims and have resources to bring to the effort. The objective in this area is to get the homes fully operating and utilising its full capacity. This is done through working with the partner organisations to identify the levers and barriers and by supporting them in implementing the needed steps to get to full occupancy.

	Angels Quest 28 Ardagh Grove, Blackrock, Co. Dublin Phone: +353 (0)1 2788 733 Fax: +353 (0)1 2000 004 info@angelsquest.ie
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