|
Imagine
a job which involves working on your own, being on call round the
clock, and with little or no holiday opportunities.
Not
a tempting prospect is it? But that's the grim reality of daily
life for many people in Gloucestershire who look after a disabled
or ill child, parent, brother, sister, friend or neighbour.
Most
carers would still not recognise themselves under the term 'carer'.
They are just people trying to cope as best they can while helping
to look after a partner with multiple sclerosis, a child born with
cerebral palsy, or an elderly relative with Alzheimer's, for example.
Ring Around Carers is an
ideal way of keeping in touch and exchanging information if
your caring role keeps you at home much of the time.  |
| Carol
Paton, BBC Gloucestershire |
One
of the hardest parts of their plight can be the feelings of loneliness
and isolation that carers experience because their responsibilities
mean they cannot easily get out and meet other people.
That's
what BBC Gloucestershire hopes to ease by marking National Carers
Week (June 9-15) with a new telephone support service.
Ring
Around Carers provides carers with a regular 'meeting place' where
they can chat and keep in touch with other people in the same situation
- without having to leave home.
Carol
Paton, assistant editor of BBC Gloucestershire, said: "Not
every carer can easily get out to meet others.
 |
| Many
families are caring for a child with disabilities |
"In
areas where it already operates Ring Around Carers has proved a
valuable lifeline for them - some have even said it's been the one
thing that has stopped them feeling suicidal.
"We
hope Ring Around Carers will be popular addition to the support
services already provided for carers in Gloucestershire.
"It's
an ideal way of keeping in touch and exchanging information if your
caring role keeps you at home much of the time."
How
to join Ring Around Carers
- Any carer can join in - you can be caring for a relative, spouse
or friend, for a couple of hours a week or 24 hours a day.
- To find out more ring the BBC Gloucestershire Action Desk on
01452 331133 or fill in the online form
at the bottom of this page.
- You can give your details over the phone to an Action Desk
volunteer, or we will send you out a form.
- The Ring Around Carers groups will be organised by our partners
at Community Network, a registered charity that runs telephone
meetings for hundreds of people every week.
How
Ring Around Carers works
- The groups will take place once a week, at an appointed time
- Don't worry if you miss a week, and if you are called away
during the session - that's quite all right!
- Carers will be asked about which is the best time for them
to join a group - which will make it easier to put the groups
together.
- There will be up to five other carers in the group, plus a
facilitator or 'host'.
- Every member of Ring Around Carers will get a confirmation
letter from Community Network about the date and time their group
will take place.
What's
good about Ring Around Carers
- t's SIMPLE - all you need is some time, and an ordinary
telephone.
- It is FREE - we'll provide 45 minutes of meeting and
talking time, and the host will make sure everyone has a chance
to speak if they want to.
- It's CONFIDENTIAL. Don't worry - you are NOT going to
be on the radio! Only you and your group will hear what you want
to say. Your facilitator will have signed a confidentiality 'bond'
- what they hear will go no further.
- It's FLEXIBLE - we're planning to introduce expert guests
if there's a demand. If you fancy having particular information
or advice - perhaps about health, gardening, or finance - we would
be happy to arrange a 'guest' to come on the line to your group.
Gloucestershire
Carers Project has information about other support services for
those with caring responsibilities - and there is a separate group
for young carers.
See
their websites for more information by following the links below
Gloucestershire
Carers Project www.gloscarers.org.uk
Community House, 15 College Green,
Gloucester GL1 2LZ
Tel: 01452 386283
Fax: 01452 506061
Email: mail@gloscarers.org.uk
Gloucestershire
Young Carers Project www.glosyoungcarers.org.uk
Community House, 15 College Green,
Gloucester GL1 2LZ
Tel: 01452 309399 or 24-hour freephone: 0500 008050
>>You
can download a list of carers groups across Gloucestershire here
If
you would like to comment on this story or share your experiences
of being a carer please contact us at gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
|
