PEOPLE in St Helens are being asked to help make a big difference to the lives of disabled children by giving a little bit of their time.

The Changing Lives campaign is aiming to raise awareness of the huge impact ordinary people can have on the lives of disabled children and their families when they become short break carers.

Short-break carers are ordinary people who look after a disabled child on a regular basis for anything from a few hours a week to a weekend a month.

Short-break carers help disabled children take a more active part in the life of their community.

They do ordinary activities with them, which help the children gain confidence trying new things and meeting new people.

At the same time they give the children's parents or long-term carers a break and a chance to do things, which are difficult when caring for a disabled child.

For more information about becoming a short-break carer, contact Barnardo's North West Fostering service on 0151 488 0822.