THERE was a steady stream of visitors to a coffee morning was held at Barnard Castle Methodist Church last week to highlight the health and wellbeing of carers.
Organised by Durham County Carers Support as part of the nationwide National Carers week, the event aimed to highlight the challenges those looking after loved ones face.
Janice Coulson, of Durham County Carers Support, said: “Many people don’t recognise that they are carers. They think it’s just something they do and are not aware of the help available to them.”
Sara Coulson, also of Durham County Carers Support, added: “We wanted to highlight what help is available to carers and that this is a network of support.”
Currently, about 6.5million people in the UK are carers providing unpaid support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health problem or who someone needs extra help as they grow older.
Coffee and fresh fruit were available free of charge as well as hand and foot massages from local masseuse Helen Bellas.
There were representatives from a number of organisations including Durham County Council, Northumbrian Water, Stroke Association, Contact and a charity which provides support and help to families with disabled families.
Michelle and Martin Greaves, of Northside Farm, Bowes, whose ten-year-old son Daniel is autistic, popped in during the two hour event. Mr Greaves was persuaded to hop onto the massage table to try out a relaxing spot of reflexology from Ms Bellas.
He admitted it was not something he would have thought of as a relaxation technique but enjoyed the experience nonetheless.
Mrs Greaves added: “Having the support from Sara (Carlton) and other families who have experienced the same challenges as us has been helpful.”
She said staff at Startforth school, prior to its closure, had also been fantastic.
Jo and Peter Law have been impressed by the support they have received since they moved from Gloucestershire to Startforth two years ago.
“We didn’t have any of this help down in Gloucestershire,” said Mrs Law, who has found it difficult to make friends since moving north while providing full time care to her 86-year-old mother Joan Whitaker who suffers from COPD.
“It can be quite isolating,” she added.
There are two carer support groups operating in Barnard Castle.
One meets at Woodleigh in Barnard Castle on the last Thursday of the month from 10.30am to 12.30pm.
The second is run at the Hub every second Tuesday of the month.
Call in for a chat or you can contact Janice Coulson on 01833 600577 and Sara Carlton on 01325 524600.
