Providing vital respite support
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Case Studies
Certitude has a long history of providing high-quality, person-led respite care. Available 24/7, it includes short breaks, weekend stays, evening-only care, and emergency support, often arranged within just 24 hours. It’s a place where people can take a break, try something new, and connect with others, while families and carers get time to rest and recharge.
Juan has been working with Certitude for 21 years and is a manager in Hounslow, where his team offers short breaks support for up to seven people at a time.
Respite support is a bit like running a guest house, in that people will come and stay for a night or two and then return home, or sometimes longer – but it’s temporary. Social services refer people to us, and we work closely with individuals and their families to provide the best support for their loved ones.
We currently have around 60 people who stay with us across the year. We are extremely flexible, respectful, and do our best to accommodate everyone’s needs to help improve the whole family’s quality of life. What matters most to us is that the people who stay with us feel truly at home – they feel safe, relaxed, and able to enjoy themselves. Whether it’s dancing, karaoke, or simply spending time together, we tailor activities to what each person enjoys.
We talk to individuals and their families before people come to stay, not just to cover the basics like medication and food allergies, but to understand the things that are important to them and their interests. People will have short visits to get used to the surroundings too. It is all built around understanding the person as best we can. What makes people feel happy, anxious, excited.
We want people to feel comfortable with their stay. We also work closely with families, sharing daily updates so they can see how their loved ones are doing. Daily communication also helps us to quickly adjust support plans, where necessary, to ensure people get the right support at the right time.
Please, continue doing what you are doing… it gives us a bit of a rest which has such a positive impact in our lives.
As well as our Good rating with CQC, and the kind comments that families have made about the impact on their lives, we’ve also seen that over time people who visit us regularly become more settled. It shows that we’re helping families feel more confident and comfortable taking the respite they need.
We are also here when life gets tough, giving someone an emergency place to stay when they need it most. By having a break from their usual home life, you can see their confidence grow in a supportive environment. We’re providing an opportunity to have a different experience, feel more comfortable, and build trust with people. The impact of that is huge and knowing we’re supporting people whilst they’re choosing the things that matters most in their life is truly rewarding.
