There are over 47,000 people in Newcastle and Gateshead providing unpaid care to a family member, friend or neighbour who is frail, has a long term illness or a disability. Well over a quarter of these carers provide a high level of care for over 50 hours a week and for some the caring is a constant 24 hours a day, seven days a week. As a result many carers feel isolated, are stressed and don't know where to turn for help.
Since Spring 2009, carers in Gateshead have been given the opportunity to take part in free Department of Health backed 'Caring with Confidence' sessions. The sessions look at the problems carers face and how these can be tackled by gaining useful information and skills. The sessions have proved hugely successful in the North East region, particularly in the Gateshead area. Of those carers taking part 99% said they would recommend the sessions to other carers as a way of improving their lives and of the person they care for.
Despite such positive feedback the Department of Health recently announced the funding for these sessions will stop at the end of September 2010, six months ahead of schedule and just as Newcastle Carers Centre was due to start offering the sessions to carers there.
These six months were vital to this project, not only did they have more sessions than ever planned but they were due to start offering the sessions in new areas. The six months would have also given valuable time to find other funding for sessions after March 2011 when the Department of Health funding was originally due to end. Carer organisations across the North East like Gateshead Carers Association have already seen the benefit of these sessions as being an important and a very valuable service to carers they are supporting.
To celebrate the success of the programme in Gateshead a reunion event was arranged on Friday 5th August at the Royal Station Hotel in Newcastle to give carers who have taken part in the programme the chance to come together and meet up with some familiar friendly faces.
I was lucky enough to attend and hear first hand from carers what they thought about the Caring with Confidence programme. It was great to meet so many carers at the celebration event and hearing how the Caring with Confidence sessions had such positive outcomes for many of them. Their caring experiences are so varied but most carers I spoke to picked up small hints and tips which collectively had a huge impact on their caring role. I am happy to support Gateshead Carers Association in their efforts to make sure the programme continues so other carers get the opportunity to take part in the future. It is also encouraging to know that carer organisations in Gateshead, Newcastle and across the North East region are coming together to ensure this important project carries on.
If you think I can help you with this or any other issue please do not hesitate to get in touch with me.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |