Ruth Harrison - Praxis Care

• The Soft Melton Toys Project provides a range of stimulating activities for the
children/young people. These include:
• Arts and Crafts
• Musical Instruments
• Creative Play
• Outside Play – sand, water, swing, play equipment, trampoline etc
• Books, games and computer
• TV/Video
Melton Project also has a mini-bus that enables children/young
people to enjoy activities in the community including;
- Cinema - Ten Pin Bowling
- Farms - Parks
- Beach - Restaurants
- Fair - Leisure Centres
- Circus
These activities are vital to a child/young person’s quality of life. The Melton Project
strives to give children/young people experiences that they may not receive elsewhere.
To help fund these outings and to purchase specialist play equipment the Melton Project
has taken part in various fundraising events.
The Friends of Melton Project is a fundraising group recently established to support
the work of the Melton Project. Their remit is to raise funds by holding events such as
tombolas, raffles and nights out and to approach local businesses to seek their support
and donations.
The Melton Project has recently received support from Kev Jones who ran London
Marathon, Sahil Patel who did a skydive, The Melton Lions Club, Ragdale Hall’s ’Make It
Happen’ fund and the Spice Club.
Anyone interested in becoming involved with the Friends of Melton Project should
contact the Project on the address or phone number on the front of this leaflet.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our project.
Ruth Harrison
Project Manager
66 Dalby Road
Melton Mowbray
Leics.
LE13 0BH
Tel: 01664 411645
01664 566173
Fax: 01664 563847
E-mail: .meltonproject@praxiscare.org.uk

BACKGROUND TO PRAXIS CARE
‘Praxis Care’ was founded in the early 1980’s, and celebrated its 30th Anniversary
in 2011. Praxis cares for children and adults with a learning disability,
challenging behaviours, mental health problems and acquired brain injury.
Praxis Care is a registered charity — no. XN80842.
It was established in Northern Ireland but now extends to Isle of Man, Republic
of Ireland, the Midlands and North West of England providing services
to hundreds of adults and children.
MISSION STATEMENT
Empowering adults and children with mental health, learning disability and
acquired brain injury to enjoy everyday living, irrespective of complexity of
their needs.
LEICESTERSHIRE SERVICES
Both the Melton Project and Glenfield Project provide short breaks to children
aged 6-18 years old, who all have a wide range of significant learning
disabilities, challenging behaviours, communication difficulties and/or physical
disabilities.
Both units had been operated by the Children’s Society until they made a decision
to move from direct services and focus exclusively on campaigning on
children’s issues. Praxis Care, in association with Leicestershire County Council,
then took over the operation of the children’s units in August 2002.
The two Projects support around 60 children and their families, with up to 4
children having a short break at any time. The units provide short breaks on a
10 week pattern, and the allocated length of stay is determined by individuals
assessed needs.
Responsible placing authority:
Leicestershire County Council Social Services Department
County Hall
Leicester Road
Glenfield
Leicester
THE MELTON PROJECT
Melton Project provides short breaks to children and young people
with a learning disability, autism and associated challenging behaviours
and communication difficulties.
The service is delivered in a caring and sensitive manner, in partnership
with parents/carers, whilst maintaining the child/young person
as central to the project.
Aims:
• Maintain the child as central to the project
• Provide good quality, consistent and reliable care
• Encourage the maximum degree of independence and self help so
that children can grow and develop
• Provide a consumer led service which allows parents and children to
define their needs and choose how these should be met
Objectives:
• The identification of key workers for each child
• Working in partnership with parents/carers in all aspects of care
• The formulation of individual care plans tailored to specific needs
• The maintenance of high staffing ratio within the home
• The commitment to quality assurance and monitoring of all activities
within the home
Whilst staying at the Project each child/young person will have their
own bedroom and are welcomed and encouraged to bring any items
from home which may comfort them during their stay. The Project
also has a lounge/dining room, kitchen, two conservatories and sensory
room. There is a bathroom and a shower room, both of which
have specialist equipment. There is a large enclosed garden with play
equipment.
The buildings and equipment used have been designed for the children
and young people using the home, to ensure a homely, secure,
safe and friendly environment, which allows for individual needs to
be met.