Support Groups
The Carers Association currently run Carers Support Group meetings from our 16 Resource Centres and 2 service bases around the country.
Support Groups allow Carers:
- share their experiences, feelings, ideas, concerns, information and problems.
- feel a reduced sense of isolation
- have a sense of connection with other family carers in similar circumstances
- have a break from the caring situation
- have hope for the future
- let off steam
- relax
- socialise
- learn from other carers
- cope from day to day
Carers can share coping strategies and local information as well as offer emotional support and develop enduring friendships through support groups. Mutual support groups provide a valuable opportunity to meet Carers in the same position to share mutual experiences.
For example, support groups for parents with children with special needs can discuss issues specifically related to their caring situations such as dealing with difficult and challenging behaviour, high dependency issues etc. Support groups allow family carers to access information on their rights and entitlements.
Guest speakers are invited to meetings to address carers on issues of interest to them such as Public Health Nurses, HSE representatives and Social Welfare representatives. Contact your local Carers Resource Centre for details on support groups near you.
