BOLTON Shared Care Scheme, run by Sally Hempsall and Sue Nunn of Social Services, is calling on the town's kind hearts to "Give a Little Time and Make a Big Difference."

That is the theme of a campaign launched as part of National Share the Care Week, running from today until September 24.

The campaign seeks to recruit people of all ages and backgrounds to look after disabled children for short breaks.

Under the scheme, which already has around 80 families in the Bolton borough taking part, people look after a disabled child for short periods, such as one weekend a month or one evening a week, to give the parents of the disabled child a break and help the child become more independent.

The carers involve the children in activities such as swimming, visits to the cinema, shopping or pursuing other interests.

At present the Shared Care scheme supports around 100 disabled children in Bolton but almost always has a waiting list of children wanting to be linked with a family.

Sally Hempsall, a link worker for the scheme, said: "There is a huge demand for the service because it is popular with children and their parents. Parents leave their child with someone they know and trust and they know their child will enjoy the break too. Children get the opportunity to do new things and short break carers enjoy having the child to come and stay. It's a win-win situation."

She added: "It is not a big time commitment but it makes a huge difference to the lives of disabled children. What's more it's fun."

Short break carers receive an allowance, training and support.

For more information about being a short break carer, ring Bolton Shared Care on 01204 337107. The national focus week is organised by the Shared Care Network, which is a national charity supporting schemes throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Sheila and David feel young again WHAT is like a breath of fresh air, makes you feel years younger and lets you settle down to sleep at night thinking that you have done something really useful in life?

It's getting involved in the Bolton Shared Care Scheme says Tonge Moor mum Sheila Evans -- bubbling with enthusiasm as she describes how "great" the whole idea is.

Sheila and her husband David, of Thicketford Road, became short break carers a year ago and Sheila says it is the best thing they ever did.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays each week, Steven, who is aged nine and autistic, goes for his tea, and he stays for two full days a week during the school holidays.

On Tuesdays once a month Sarah, 11, who has speech communication problems, stays overnight.

Sheila, 58, and David 62, who have grown up children aged 33 and 27, say it's like having a young family about the house again. David's full time job is with Social Services, transporting disabled people of all ages between their homes and centres.

But that isn't how they got involved with the Shared Care scheme. It began when Sheila spotted an advert in the BEN.

"The children were grown up, my mother, who I had cared for, had just died and I decided I needed something else to do," said Sheila, a trained nursery nurse who works as a special needs assistant at Tonge Moor CP School.

"I wish we had done this years ago. It has changed our lives. Steven provides us with a good excuse to play football, get out the paddling pool and have a trip out -- all the things we don't get the opportunity to do now our own children are grown up."

"David and I get enormous satisfaction from caring for Steven and Sarah and knowing that their mums have had a break and a chance to recharge their batteries."