During Carers Week, 8th – 14th June, here at St Richard’s Hospice we are highlighting the importance of supporting those who care for patients with life-threatening illnesses.
We understand that carers are pivotal to the success of the care provided for their loved one, and recognise that carers also need to be cared for and supported. Therefore the hospice offers a range of services to help each family, offering advice, support and counselling to help them cope with the circumstances in which they find themselves.
I’ve had the privilege of being part of a team who provide on-going support to our carers helping to prepare and equip them to provide the best possible care to their loved ones who have all got incurable illness.
It’s wonderful to see our carers flourishing even when the situation they’re facing are distressing. Our carers have described their group as ‘a life line’ and as ‘a safety net where I can be supported by people who have an understanding of what I’m going through’.
Next month, we’ll be starting up a new social group which we’ve called The Café Group (Caring for Everyone). The Café Group will be an informal, friendly group which will meet once a month, giving individuals the opportunity to meet other carers and be mutually supported as well as accessing specialist support and advice as this is needed.
I’m passionate about looking after our carers’ well-being and enjoy facilitating our support groups where carers can come together in a friendly and welcoming environment to chat and exchange experiences over coffee and cake. Everyone who comes along gets something out of our time together, even if it’s just a quick nap!
Alison Cooper, Family Support Officer