How it works
The onus is on healthcare professionals to refer a family whom they have known for more than a year and to support their need for a break. It is often the quieter families, who would never ask, who need some time away and only their care team have the experience to see that. Individuals can complete the form but they must attach a supporting letter from a GP or care worker for their application to be considered.
Young families where either a parent or child is suffering from a terminal illness can benefit from a week's accommodation from The Directory or via The Holiday Property Bond. Once we receive a referral, we discuss each case in detail with the nursing staff before we speak to the families and find out exactly when and how far they can travel and what they are looking for.
The houses are available to view online and we let the families select a week (taking into account treatments and the usual family commitments). The Directory is there for reference only. The families come back to Homes with Heart with their requests and at that point we contact the owner to ask what they think. Owners are under no pressure to say 'Yes' if that particular doesn't work for them - there is often a little to-ing and fro-ing before a match is made.
At that point, we contact the agent to book the week out. Finally, we have a small amount of paperwork which the owners and families sign which sets out their responsibilities - similar to commercial booking forms - and we make sure that our families get directions and details of key exchange.
- A nurse or doctor refers a patient for a break.
- We check references and chat to the family.
- The families look at what is available and let us know their choices.
- If the owner says 'Yes', the booking goes ahead.
- If the owner says 'No', we move to the next house on the list.
