A SUPERMUM from Warrington is giving a little time to make a big difference in lives of disabled children and their families.

During the last 20 years, Jenny Rose, of Wirral Close, Culcheth, has touched the lives of 102 children, whom she has looked after.

In her vital, but rare, role as a short break carer, Jenny, who is married with two children of her own, gives them the chance to become independent and meet new people, while their parents get a break from caring full-time.

Now, a campaign to recruit more carers like Jenny is being run by Warrington Borough Council together with councils across the country, as part of Share the Care Week - from September 24 to September 30 - to get more people from all walks of life to come forward.

They can be old, young, married or single, retired, unemployed or working. No experience is required, and training and support is given, along with an allowance for each child.

Carers are asked to look after the children in their own home on a regular basis - from a few hours a week to a weekend a month - and can involve them in a range of activities such as baking, going for walks, or shopping. And there are hundreds of children out there waiting for a short-break carer.

With help from her husband Elvin, Jenny currently looks after four-year-old Nicholas Kennedy, aged four, from Salford. They have him for two nights every fortnight.

"He's a little dumpling. I get so much joy out of looking after him," said Jenny.

"He enjoys the same activities as any other child - such as playing on the swings or going out shopping.

"His favourite past-time is visiting the Blue Planet Aquarium, and so we bought a season ticket to go there.

"It's not too difficult to look after him. He has just the same needs as any other child. He just needs a little bit of extra care."

The message from social services is tell a friend about the service.

"We know there are people out there who would like to help share the care and we are more than willing to give them all the advice, guidance and support they need," said Joy Miller, family placement team manager. "All they have to do is come forward."

For more details you can log on to www.sharedcarenetwork.org.uk or contact the Shared Care Network office at Bewsey Old School, Lockton Lane on 444283.