Since 1925 Cholmondeley has provided care for the children of Canterbury. Cholmondeley is committed to standards of best practice and prides itself on providing quality and professional respite care where the child’s wellbeing is paramount.

Cholmondeley’s core service is the provision of emergency and planned short term respite care for children aged 3 to 12 years, whose families are experiencing significant stress or difficulties. The average stay for a child is from several days to 1 week, including weekends. The service is primarily funded through community donations. Cholmondeley is staffed with care staff, social workers and a psychologist and there is an on site school with its own teachers, who ensure continuity of education should a child need to come to Cholmondeley during term time.

The staff are passionate and professional enabling children to be cared for in a safe, structured and stimulating environment where their needs are met and where their days are filled with activities and fun, school or preschool. 

At Cholmondeley the staff work collaboratively with other agencies and accept referrals from other professionals, who have assessed that respite care would benefit the child, or take referrals directly from parents and caregivers. For children and families requiring additional support the social worker can discuss their needs with them and liaise with other agencies in their community to provide this.

Cholmondeley provides approximately 6000 bed nights per year and is situated in Governors Bay.

Who can refer a child to Cholmondeley?

• Parent
• Caregiver