DISABLED children have put on a musical extravaganza to express what their short breaks away from home mean to them.

Barnardo’s – which provides specialist foster care and short break placements for disabled children and young people – teamed up with Brighton and Hove Music and Arts.

They created an inclusive orchestra experience under the expert guidance of James Redwood, composer and conductor with BHMA’s Orchestra 360.

Lisa Giles, children’s services manager at Barnardo’s said: “This has been a wonderful opportunity for our young service users to have fun and really channel their feelings and emotions.

“Music can be extremely powerful and it really was moving to hear the final performance they gave to family and friends.

“The service we provide is so important for both young people and their families.

“The children love having mini breaks and doing different things to what they normally do.

“For families, it is a chance to focus on siblings, re-charge their batteries and have time for themselves, safe in the knowledge their child is happy, well cared for and they will be seeing them again very soon.”

One parent who attended the event with her child said: “We made some great sounds and even produced some catchy songs and music together.

“All of us adults enjoyed it as much as the young people.”

If anyone is interested in finding out more about being a carer for a disabled child – anything from occasional overnight stays, through to shared care and full time fostering – they can contact Barnardo’s Brighton and Hove Link Plus for an informal chat.

Call Vicky Lloyd from Barnardo’s on 01273 295179 or email vicky.lloyd@barnardos.org.uk

Last year more than 270,000 children, young people and families were supported by Barnardo’s through more than 1000 services across the UK, such as young carers, care leavers, foster carers and adoptive parents, training and skills or parenting classes.

The charity works to transform the lives of the UK’s most vulnerable children and every year it helps thousands of families to build a better future.

But it stresses that it needs public support to make its work possible.

Visit www.barnardos.org.uk to find out how you can get involved.