Following Charlie’s death, they were instrumental in the launch of the National Epilepsy Deaths Register, where Jan addressed the Houses of Parliament. They attended an evening reception at 10 Downing Street hosted by Samantha Cameron. They were also invited by the Rt Hon Earl Howe to join a Luncheon at The House of Lords, to recognise their charity involvement.

Charlie’s Story was used in a campaign by SUDEP Action called the Wearable Apnoea Detection Device (WADD). This is where their fundraising efforts were directed over a 3-year period. They were extremely proud when the European Research Council (ERC) awarded the WADD €2 million for its development!

Over the years, as a family they are extremely proud to have been nominated and received various awards including ‘Fundraisers of the Year’ at the Spire FM Local Hero Awards as well as the Prime Ministers ‘Points of Light award from Boris Johnson.

In April 2017 Charlie’s Story – Simple Steps training videos and teaching pack was released by SWAST across their region. Jan and I were invited to present the 1^st live training session, which was at Plymouth University. The training pack consists of a series of videos and accompanying PowerPoint presentations. Due to its popularity the training was also presented by us at the NHS Training Managers Conference in Bristol. Again, it was extremely well received, so much so that Jan and I along with SWAST were invited to London to meet with The Patients Safety Council.

We are extremely proud to let you all know that because of these meetings and presentations, every Ambulance Trust across the UK are using Charlie’s Story – Simple Steps, reaching over 22,000 ambulance staff across the entirety of the UK. In addition to this the training has developed into an E-Learning Package by The Patients Safety Council, mandated for all 20,000 paediatric consultants, doctors and epilepsy specialist nurses.

In 2019, they launched Charlie’s Star Charity, to ‘Create Hope and Smiles’ for bereaved families who live in the Southwest of England, that have lost a child under the age of 19, by providing them with a fully funded 7-day respite break in Cornwall.

In September 2026, Carers Break CIC decided to support ‘Charlie’s Star by purchasing 2 weeks of repite holidays at their wonderful facility near Newquay in Cornwall.

Carers Break intend to raffle one week and auction the second in the coming weeks and months. That way Charlie’s Star benefits twice.

Check out our Social Media for more information as it is released.

https://www.facebook.com/p/Carers-Break-CIC-61551784067276/

Training at Carers Break CIC is seen as an investment, but not just in our staff and clients, but the community as a whole. Listen to Chloe tell her story about how her training helped save a man’s life at a Cornish beach.

On 5th June 2026, during the second day of the Royal Cornwall show, staff from Carers Break CIC took a handful of the fabulous people they support to the showground. Hiring a mini bus the gang spent the day walking miles, eating like Kings and Queens and enjoying all the fun of the show.

Carers Break CIC believe that Caring and supporting people in our community is about more than personal care, medication and bedtime routines, rather its about treating people with dignity and respect and supporting them to live the best version of their life they can.

This is definitely something we will do again, the staff loved it and our friends and clients did too. There was much fun and laughter – it was a joy not a job!

The Devon and Cornwall Care Record is a secure computer system that brings together information about your health and care and presents it as a single record.

Previously, it was difficult to share information about your health and care between

different areas of the system.

Now, health and social care staff can see the details held by GP practices, hospitals and other health and care organisations across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Having a more complete view of your medical history helps health and social care professionals identify problems more effectively and make quicker decisions. For instance, they can see which allergies you suffer from, and any treatment and medication you have received.

As well as making treatment safer, the care you receive will be more co-ordinated, giving you a smoother journey through the health and social care system.

It also saves staff the time it takes to find information and spares you the frustration of having to answer the same questions or undergo duplicate or unnecessary tests.

Dr John McCormick, GP and Chief Clinical Information Officer at Devon Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “The Devon and Cornwall Care Record has the potential to transform the way we care for patients in our region.

“By enabling information to flow more easily between the organisations that provide services, we will produce a more efficient system and improve the experience for patients.

“For example, it means an oncologist treating a patient for cancer in Plymouth can see the same information as their GP in Callington.”

John Garman, Chief Clinical Information Officer at Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group added: “Itâ€s a common – and justified – grumble from patients that they have to repeat their stories and answer the same questions as they move through the system.

“This programme will go a long way to solving that problem, as well as cutting down on other inefficiencies – like calling patients for tests theyâ€ve already undergone.

“Initially, some organisations will both contribute and use data (including GP practices, acute hospitals and social care providers), while others will just use data.

“However, in time, more and more organisations will come on board, expanding the programmeâ€s reach and impacting the care of increasing numbers of patients.”

Who is involved?

There are more than 760 health and care providers in Devon and Cornwall and, potentially, all of them can participate in the programme.

These organisations include GP practices, NHS hospitals, social care services, mental health services, hospices, community care services and out of hours services.

If you would like to know if one of your health or social care providers is participating in the programme, you can ask them directly or check the participating organisation list on the Devon and Cornwall Care Record website.

How do we keep your data safe?

Keeping your personal data safe is a key aspect of the Devon and Cornwall Care Record and all required measures are taken to keep information secure and confidential.

Shared care records are subject to UK data protection legislation. They can only be viewed by people involved in your care, and they work under strict codes of conduct.

However, if you would prefer that your information is not shared in this way, you can tell us by filling out the objection form on the data security and privacy page of the website.

Where can you find out more?

For further details, visit the Devon and Cornwall Care Record website at www.devonandcornwallcarerecord.nhs.uk

Sponsoring the ‘Carer of the year’ award and a table at the spectacular event, Carers Break were delighted to present the award to one of the joint winners below. 

The occassion was so well put together with a 3 course meal, disco by RW entertainments and live performances by Rhys The Night Church Pianist and the brilliant Queen tribute act-‘The Good old lover boys’.

In a world of endless negative news, it was great to recognise people who think of others above themselves.

For many years it has been an urban myth that we cannot employ under 18’s to work in Social Care. However, this is not the case.

https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/resources/documents/Recruitment-support/Widen-your-talent-pool/Employing-16-17-year-olds/Guidance-on-employing-workers-aged-16-and-17.pdf

Carers Break recently employed two 2^nd year ‘A’ level students. One of which is studying to be a midwife and the other a Forensic Phycologist. Working with Carers Break to gain work experience they both were offered the opportunity to be fully trained as Care and Support workers for Carers Break CIC. Their training was carefully woven into their ‘A’ level studies and school attendance. During the summer of 2025, both young workers gained invaluable experience, training and confidence to work with vulnerable clients in the Community. Being well supervised, mentored and supported by the team at Carers Break, both girls have grown into very capable, responsible and effective Care and support workers. 

A major benefit for the 2 students has been not just the opportunity to develop a more rounded ability to deal face to face with vulnerable people, something they will have to in their future careers, but also, they both maximised their earning potential during the summer holidays being paid adult rates. Carers Break believe that age shouldn’t be a barrier, rather their energy, enthusiasm, recent familiarity with education and training stands them in great stead to strengthen the workforce of our sector.

Working with ‘Trusted Training’, Carers Break offer a comprehensive training programme all year around. This ‘Face to Face’ classroom-based training covers many subjects that are available to any Care provider in Cornwall or beyond and also, where suitable any Company or individual from other sectors. Courses include:

Oliver McGowan Tier 1 and Tier 2

Patient moving and handling

Safe handling of Medication  

Emergency 1^st aid at work – 1 day

First aid at work 3 days

16 modules of the Care Certificate

Diabetes & Epilepsy awareness

Dementia and Parkinsons awareness

End of life and Cancer awareness]

Food safety

Adult Safeguarding

Mental Health 1^st aid

Mental capacity & DOLS

More information on all courses and how to join including locations and costs can be had from Carers Break CIC on 01726 890828 or email enquiries@carersbreak.org.uk

The Fast track into care courses are held in Pool and Bodmin. Working together with the jobs coaches around the County, candidates have been identified and offered the opportunity to attend a 5 day course with Carers Break and Trusted Training where they will be taught the 16 fundamental standards required to work in Health and Social Care, Safe moving and handling of people, using all the equipment required, a medication management session and a day out shadowing experienced staff with real people in real situations. After the course is completed fully, each candidate is offered a guarunteed interview with a possibility of employment with Carers break.

During the last 3 courses Carers Break have recruited around a dozen new staff across the County. Many of the first cohort have already completed significant amounts of further training in emergency first aid, food safety, Oliver McGowan training tiers 1 and 2 and much more beside and are already out earning their living as Community Support Workers. The feedback we are receiving from our clients and their families is first class and they are doing a sterling job.

One of the candidates , now full time employee said ” Its great, I am really enjoying this role and wished I had done this years ago”.

If you are interested in joining us on one of these free courses, currently unemployed on Universal credit or ESA contact your jobs coach for more information or contact us directly on 01726 890828 or email enquiries@carersbreak.org.uk and we can do that on your behalf. You may be our next employee!

September 15th to 20th 2025, Reuben Jenkins, Director of Carers Break CIC, was one of 29 cyclists and 6 support team from Cornwall Hospice care and Clive Mitchell cycles who travelled to Ouistreham in Normandy by ferry from Portsmouth Harbour to embark on a 355 mile cycle ride back to Mt Edgecumbe Hopsice via Roskoff, France to raise much needed funds for our Cornish Hospice service. Day 1 began straight off the ferry in France with a 79 mile cycle to Flers. Day 2 increased to over 90 miles during which time they travelled through Normany and into Brittany. Taking in Mont Saint -Michel, France’s larger version of Saint Micheals Mount and the beautiful medieval town of Dinan. Day 3 was over 80 miles to Lannion in North West France before the penultimate ride via Morlaix to Roscoff where they boarded the ferry at Roskoff to Plymouth. The weather was kind, the roads were fabulous, the support was excellent and the company was outstanding. Only on the final leg of the cycle ride was the weather horrendous and that started the moment they set foot in Cornwall at Torpoint! What a week, what an experience.

Reuben was sponsored by Carers Break CIC, their landlord Portreath Bakery, RH Signs who produced the promotional t-shirts, Trusted Training who provide all Carers Break CIC’s training and Cornwall’s Rewind Radio who manage all of Carers Break’s media output. In addition he was sponsored by friends, family colleagues and clients of Carers Break CIC and raised over £2,000.

The team of 29 cyclists raised north of £52,000 to the direct benefit of Cornwall Hospice Care.