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FREE CARERS COURSE

The Borough of Poole is supporting recent Government initiatives to ensure carers receive the help and advice they require, by offering a free course to anyone in Poole caring for a relative or friend at home.

Carers are people who have someone dependent on them for help with daily living because of an illness, disability or frailty. They can be any age, including children and young people. There are nearly six million carers in the UK, one in seven adults give informal care and one in six homes have a carer.

The course, run by the Borough of Poole’s Social Services, provides sessions on carers rights, claiming benefits, understanding how Social Services work, care techniques and safety at home. Attending each week will be a specialist to answer any questions carers may have.

Janet Hoe, a carer from Parkstone who attended the course last summer, said: "The Carers Course was very comprehensive. Everyone attending had a different caring problem but we all learned something to help us to cope with difficult situations. The course organisers were very pleasant and soon put us at our ease. We all become good friends through the course, and we still meet regularly for a ‘catch up’ over lunch".

Val Mitchell, Carers Support Officer, said: "Previous courses have proved to be really popular with carers of all ages. The course offers the opportunity for carers to meet with other people in the same situation and to obtain skills, knowledge and confidence that can help make caring at home less stressful".

The 8 week course starts on Thursday 24 February at East Gate Lodge, Poole Park from 11am - 2pm. Help with arranging a low cost sitting service to look after the cared for person is also available to carers who wish to attend the course.

Anyone interested in attending the course or would like further information on Carers can contact Lynne Payton on tel: (01202) 261170 or Val Mitchell on tel. (01202) 261174.

-ends-

For more information contact Val Mitchell, Carer Support Officer, Borough of Poole tel: (01202) 261174