Dumfries and Galloway carers
Dumfries and Galloway carers
Project Gives a Lifeline to Carers in Dumfries and Galloway
A project that has given older family carers in Dumfries and Galloway a much needed lifeline of support is holding an information event to reach more families on 25 May from 1030am until 12 noon at the Station Hotel, Dumfries.
ENABLE Scotland’s Lifelong Carers Project was launched with the support of Big Lottery funding in 2009 and has succeeded in supporting many families throughout the area.
There are a huge number of pensioners living throughout Scotland – many in their 70’s, 80’s and even 90’s - who are carers of adult children, partners or relatives. Some of these carers are dealing with their own health issues while worrying about the future.
The Lifelong Carers Project was established to help and support carers in Dumfries and Galloway. The service assists carers to complete emergency plans outlining what will happen to the person they care for if a crisis occurs or they are no longer able to care for them. Project workers also help carers understand more about their rights, local services, wills and trusts.
Kathy Hunter from ENABLE Scotland is pleased about the reaction to the project saying:
“We know the project is making a difference to carers in the areas as families are telling us they now feel more confident facing the issues that have worried them for years. And through our social and information events carers have said they feel less isolated as they have built support networks and friendships with people who are in the same situation as themselves. We now want to reach out and help more carers and hope the information event will do that.”
Margaret Flanagan from Newton Stewart is retired and cares for her brother Pat who has a learning disability. Margaret speaks of the support she received through the project saying:
“Now I have completed an emergency plan I feel a sense of reassurance. I have a long term plan about the care of Pat if I was not able to care for him but I have also planned for crisis situations, say I was in an accident it is good to know I have a plan about who would step in and keep a sense of normality. It was also very important for me to know that Pat’s interests, likes and dislikes were covered in the plan so these are taken into account when I am no longer able to care for him. Getting these wrong could have a horrible impact on his life.
Through the project I have met other carers and you soon realise there are other people in the same situation as you. You begin to feel connected”.
To book a place at the information event on 25 May please call 0141 225 1672 or 0141 225 1688. |
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