"Carer support"

I attended a Carer Support group at Hollywood Clinic recently which was run by a very helpful, supportive, informative and kind nurse. There were 7 of us carers in attendance on a weekday for an hour in the evening. We bonded quite quickly and were soon supporting one another as we sat around the table. It was a great session and the reason for me posting this is to ask for more of this!

We all agreed how lovely it would have been if there was an option for the carers to continue to use the room we were in, or another space to keep chatting and maybe be able to share some food/drinks that could be provided for us or at a low cost. In my experience, it is often very difficult for carers to make time to go and learn new skills or share their journey, and when they do, often one hour is not enough.

We also agreed that groups being offered twice a week at different times would allow more carers to access this valuable resource. The group is open to carers only while their loved one is an inpatient. We feel it would be most beneficial if this could continue for a number of weeks post-discharge, to help with the transition out of hospital, and also to be available if our loved one is participating in the day program.

We are grateful for the group, and hope it can be expanded and made even better!