SUPPORT GROUPS

SUPPORT GROUPS FOR CARERS

The project facilitates five support groups.

Groups are informal and give carers a chance to meet others, and have a break from their caring responsibilities.

Support groups are for carers and former carers, not the cared for. This enables carers to be open and honest about their feelings and ensures carers get a break.

As always, we can arrange and pay for sitters if you cannot leave the person you are caring for. Please try and give us at least 10 days notice to arrange care. We can also pay for transport.

Sowerby Bridge Carers Group
This group meets on the third Wednesday of each month and offers support to carers by providing time and space to discuss issues, meet other carers and have a well deserved break. Meetings are held at St. Paul's Church, Tower Hill, Sowerby Bridge.
The support group starts at 12-30pm till 2-30pm. Then there will be a half hour involvement and consultation slot.

Elland Carers Support Group
This group meets on the first Thursday of every month from1.30pm to 3.30pm at Ellen Royd surgery, Westgate, Elland. The support group meets from 2pm till 4pm with a half hour involvement and consultation session at 1-30 pm

Todmorden Support Group
This group began in May 2005 and is going well. Carers are welcoming a support group based locally.
The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month at Oddfellows Hall, Oxford Street and runs from 10-30am till 12-30pm There is a half hour involvement and consultation session from 12-30pm until 1-00pm

North Halifax, Ovenden Support Group.
Our latest support group meets at the Calderdale Business Park. It will start at 12-30pm and run until 2-30pm. A half hour informationn and consultation session will then run from 2-30pm to 3pm.

Asian carers (women only) Support Group
This is a support group for Asian carers (women only) and will meet:
10.30am —12.00pm
The third Wednesday of every month (except Ramadan and August)
At Asian Women's Resource Association, Halifax.
There will be bilingual workers at each support group meeting.

People come to the group for many reasons:

•  For someone to talk to
•  For mutual support
•  To meet other carers
•  To access professionals
•  To let off steam
•  For relaxation
•  To have a drink made by someone else
•  To get information
•  To share information
•  To cry
•  To make friends
•  To have a break from caring

The group is facilitated by one of the project staff, usually Wendy. Her role includes welcoming new carers, providing information, making sure everyone feels safe in the discussions and making drinks.

The Project wants everyone who comes to the group to have a chance to speak, respect each other, and feel able to speak freely. There are some guidelines for people who come to the groups.
These include:

•  Confidentiality - People need to know that personal issues will not be talked about outside the group.

•  Respecting each others views and differences - for example shouting or offensive comments will be challenged in a friendly way.

•  Talking one at a time - so that everyone gets a chance to speak and listen

There are some situations where the worker may need to break confidentiality, for example if someone was at risk. We can provide a leaflet on Adult Protection if more information is needed.

As usual sitters can be arranged and paid for and all transport costs reimbursed.

All carers welcome - Come along.