Support for family and friends
IF you look after someone you love, we’d like to look after you. That’s the message from East Cheshire Hospice, which is running a Friends and Family Support Group for the next seven months.
The group will hold sessions from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on the first Tuesday of every month at the hospice’s Sunflower Wellbeing Centre.
The first meeting took place yesterday (Tuesday, April 4).
Organiser Joan-Marie Williams, a hospice staff nurse, said: “The sessions are for people who look after someone with a life-limiting illness and who doesn’t necessarily have to be a patient at the hospice.
“We prefer not to use the word carers because often they don’t consider themselves as that. They’re looking after someone they love whether it’s a wife, husband or another relative, or friend, and can feel isolated on their own.
“This is a chance for them to get some educational information in a safe, relaxed environment and meet up with other people in a similar situation.
“They can share problems, concerns or experiences to develop their own coping strategies, enhance self-esteem and improve confidence.”
A similar project was held during the evening but after feedback the sessions have been switched to daytime.
Qualified and experienced healthcare professionals will cover topics such as the impact of diagnosis on friends and family members, managing medication, complementary therapies and relaxation techniques, planning for the future and social time.
Information and advice will also include legal and financial issues, welfare rights, equipment, health and wellbeing and spiritual and emotional support. For more details contact the Sunflower Wellbeing Centre on 01625 665685.