KPS respite & retreat becomes reality

Kernow Positive Support (KPS) are completing the range of services we provide to the HIV community by establishing KPS Trebullom; a National Residential Retreat, Respite, Education and Training Centre, including a temporary accommodation solution for those within the Southwest peninsula with housing related needs. This will be the first facility of its kind in the UK. Through our work with people with HIV we have recognised a need not only for people to have the opportunity to come to terms with this debilitating illness by attending a respite and retreat centre, there is also a need to improve HIV awareness through training opportunities to the public and professionals alike. To take a look at our new Webpage on this exciting new project click here or KPS Trebullom adjacent. Alternatively, you can take a look at our @KPS Trebullom Newletter Special.

Please take a look at the latest photograph's of the Bedroom and En-suite accommodation on offer at KPS Trebullom by clicking here or the button adjacent.

KPS Trebullom is now planning to open on 18th April 2011 - Please check with us prior to arranging any bookings. An 'Official Opening' Event will be held between 21st March - 18th April 2011 - WATCH OUT FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

Calendar of Events for 2011 click Our Events Calendar or on the button adjacent for our special events and retreat weekends for 2011.

Obtaining Funding for Respite You can view some information below about how to go about applying to you local authority. Alternatively, visit our webpage regarding where and how to obtain funding for individuals wishing Respite (Short-breaks) by clicking the button adjacent or here. There are further links on Funding Opportunities.

There are a number of questionnaires and forms listed on the adjacent button links that are created in either 'Word' or 'PDF Acrobat' formats that can be completed via your PC and sent to KPS as an attachment via email. Alternatively, you can complete them on your PC or with a pen, print them and send via the post.

Please Note: Some PDF Reader Software may not allow you to fill in the form and save. Alternatively use the Word Document 'Word' Format. Please contact us if you have problems.

Take a look at our computer generated 3D virtual tour of the Project. There are two short walkthroughs of the Ground Floor and First Floor by clicking on these highlighted links. The .wmv files may take a while to download (approx 12Mb). We hope to be able to have these as streaming files shortly.

Currently, KPS is still looking for additional funding streams as KPS Trebullom is a three development project. We currently have a temporary care-taker who will provide general housekeeping/cleaning and breakfast, also providing an overnight on-call facility for emergencies. There will be temporary and volunteer cooks on duty to provide meals. Handyman/gardener will be a volunteer post. Other volunteers will provide additional support required such as: transport etc. The trustees of KPS will be responsible for the on-going administration of the charity, therefore it is envisaged that there will be no overall full-time posts until such a time the charity has sufficient funds..

Those who are able to fund individuals to attend respite and retreat, such as; social services and local health authorities differ greatly throughout the UK, and in many cases do not provide either adequate funding, due to restrictive budget constraints, or indeed the recognition for the need for such. KPS will give funders, stakeholders and sponsors a cheaper, and specialised alternative, to what is currently available in the generic respite and retreat services available. Therefore, KPS will fill a service provision gap that allows those not requiring supervised respite and retreat a chance to access short-breaks in a safe, confidential and empathetic environment. Whereby, peer support will be gained through service users using and staying at the centre, and through the trustees and volunteers who run the facility especially when respite occupancy is exclusively for HIV-positive guests.

Currently, within the UK there are only two HIV charities; KPS Trebullom here in Cornwall and The Tyddyn Bach Trust based in North Wales, provide this specialised respite and retreat, and who have proven to provide a cheaper alternative to the statutory health care system, by the very nature of utilising volunteers and keeping paid-staff to an absolute minimum, yet providing a service with professionalism, empathy and an understanding of the important issues concerning HIV. To this end, KPS Trebullom will compliment the limited services already available at a cost-effective level. that is currently not available within the UK. Other HIV respite, retreat weekends and specialist hospice care facilities and opportunities are located on our Respite & Retreat section of this Website.

What is Respite Care?

Respite care is a care arrangement that is different from the day-to-day situation. Respite care can mean a change in either the care setting or the people who provide care services. Respite gives a break, both to the person receiving care and person(s) providing support, in the home or community care setting. The social services, social work departments, health care service providers, or family and friends can arrange respite care. Either the person providing or receiving care may be able to go to another place. The person receiving care may find it stimulating to go somewhere else. On the other hand, the person providing care may enjoy staying in another place.

Respite can take place for a number of weeks, a weekend, or at night-times. Arrangements vary according to personal needs and local policy. This form of care may be provided either in, a local care home or in another county. Respite care can be used so that people can enjoy being with people who are in a similar situation. Respite can also give someone a totally different environment and landscape from home. The social services department or health care provider may pay for all or some of the Respite Care costs.

Alternatively, you may need to pay some or all of the costs. This break is a benefit to all people involved in the care environment. Consider the needs and wishes of everyone when making arrangements. Carers and people receiving care can receive vouchers for ‘short term' respite breaks. Local authorities can provide vouchers. Respite vouchers provide more freedom to choose when and where to take a break. Tell the care manager a couple of months before respite is needed. This is especially important when respite is planned to last longer than a week.

Taking a break

As a person living with HIV, or caring for a person you may be entitled to a short-break (respite/retreat). Your social worker or primary care trust may help to arrange this. Respite/retreat allows you a break from your normal surrounding to enable you to recharge your batteries, or if you are a carer; the tasks that you normally carry out for the person you care for to be undertaken by someone else. There are a number of grant giving trusts or local support charities that may help to find funding for respite. For further details, contact your local Clinic or HIV support group (Charity). Please note that increasing the length of respite care beyond what was originally agreed may be costly. Get the agreement in writing, even when a care-manager arranges a rate and dates of respite. The Respite Care Centre may increase the price for the additional care. The Respite Care Centres may also charge for other costs. Assume nothing. Agree the rates with the Respite Care Centre before extending the respite stay. Get the agreement in writing, including the services and costs that are included in your agreement. You can visit the Social Services Inspectorate Standards Website for Joint Review Standards and Criteria at www.doh.gov.uk/scg/standard.htm or ask your local support group for a copy of these standards, to assess community performance in providing short-breaks. The button marked "where to get funding" lists a number of charitable trusts and organisations that may be able to fund you and/or your carer.

Am I entitled to free Respite Care?

Your local council (Adult Social Care/Children and Families Departments or the NHS may provide and arrange your respite free-of-charge when you are in need, that provides short-term breaks and/or rehabilitation to help a person re-gain their independence, or recovery from an illness, an operation, or bereavement. Also, those who need a change of environment due to their condition qualify. Social services and NHS care providers agree how they will meet local needs. They set their rules according to their resources and Department of Health guide lines. Each local Statutory Authority provider has its own set of rules for  providing free respite care. Ask for information about eligibility criteria for services and funding. Ask your named social worker and/or nurse or care manager for their leaflets. They should explain how your situation meets the criteria for services and help with paying for respite. You may be dissatisfied with the result of the assessment of your eligibility if this is the case you may request an independent review to have the decision reassessed. Alternatively, ask for support and advocacy from your local HIV support group.

What are eligibility criteria?

Eligibility criteria are the guidelines which social services or NHS use to assess your eligibility to receive  services or funding. By using these criteria, service providers can ensure that they use their money to help those people most in need. People most in need are called 'at risk'. Every local and health authority is required to publish papers that describe the eligibility criteria they apply. If they consider you eligible to receive help the authority may apply additional criteria. These may limit the amount of care or funding that you receive. Most of these guidelines are reviewed annually. Local service providers work together to set eligibility criteria this involves health authority and social  services providers.

Where can I find out about local criteria deciding who can receive services?

Every social services department and health care service provider is required to publish documents describing local criteria or priorities. Ask your care manager or social worker for the leaflets. Ask them to explain how your situation fits the criteria before making care decisions. You have the right to ask for an independent review of how they applied their criteria if you do not agree with their decision.

Who can I turn to, if I am still not satisfied with this decision and its criteria?

You can contact your local HIV support group, who may be able to give you further advice and maybe able to advocate on your behalf. You have the right to ask you local MP to look at your individual case. You may wish to write to a government official whose main ministerial responsibilities are within the issues and services you are concerned about. Remember if you don't ask you won't get!