Dochas Centre marks Carers’ Week with series of events

PEOPLE caring for loved ones are not inclined to think of themselves as ‘carers’.

They simply provide care to people they love.

National Carers’ Week runs from Monday to Sunday, June 6 to 12 and one local carers’ organisation hopes the event will encourage people across Mid Argyll and Kintyre to contact its Lochgilphead centre.

Currently, there are more than 11,000 unpaid carers in Argyll and Bute and 70 per cent of those who provide more than 35 hours of care a weekget no help – mainly because they don’t know who or where to turn to.

The real gift Dochas has is time – time to listen, time to find solutions, time to seek grants to offer carers a break.

During carers’ week, Dochas will be at Caledonia Court on Monday June 6. On Tuesday June 7, more than 70 carers from Mid Argyll, Kintyre and the islands are going on a day trip to Portavadie. On Wednesday June 8, Dochas will be at the Ardrishaig Church coffee morning. Thursday June 9 will see a drop-in day at the Dochas Centre, while on Friday June 10 the group will be at Mid Argyll Hospital with a display board listing services.

The group is also working with the people of Campbeltown and Kintyre to set up a carers’ centre. A recent legacy from an aunt and uncle of Dochas founder John Paterson, along with the launch of a new Buy a Brick Appeal will go some way to make that hope a reality as well as help fund extending Dochas’ own services and building in Lochgilphead.

For more information, contact the Dochas Centre on 01546 600022; email enquiries @dochasfund.org. uk; visit www.dochas fund.org.uk; or pop into the red building on Campbell Street, Lochgilphead. Everyone is welcome.