WHAT WE OFFER

Respite/Providing a Break:
Core Respite Fund: The WCCSG operates a small respite fund which recognises the demanding nature of full time care and enables Carers to take a short break from caring.

Pilot Nursing Home Respite Project: involved a partnership of the voluntary, statutory and private sectors and was aimed at supplementing existing community respite services, by providing additional respite breaks to Carers and persons with a high dependency of care.

The Pilot Nursing Home Respite Project was funded through first round funding from the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Fund. In December 2006 a proposal to reactivate the pilot scheme was submitted to the HSE-South.

Information and Emotional Support:
Drop In service in Carers Resource Centre, Bantry take place weekly on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm and on Thursdays from 2-5 pm. Drop Ins lead Carers through the system in a proactive manner providing them with information relevant to their situation, assistance with filling out application forms and making referrals to appropriate voluntary & statutory services to assist them in their care.

Drop In service in the Beara Peninsula: based in the Caha and Haven Family Resource Centres. This service operates the first Friday of alternate months in each centre.

Lo call Support Line on 1890 201 533.
The Support-Line operates every Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 10am to 1p.m with Fridays being reserved for follow up calls to Support Line callers and members of our support groups.

The Support-line remains central to our role in provision of information and support and receives a wide range of enquiries. Carers are provided with a listening ear and personal support, as well as information on rights and entitlements, in a confidential and non-judgemental way.

Seminars: The West Cork Carers Support Group host three Seminars a year on issues relevant to Carers.These Seminars are hosted throughout West Cork in order to facilitate ease of access to Carers.

Topics to date include:

• Elder Care & the Carer


• Dynamics of Caring


• Carers Share Experiences
• Living with Alzheimer's,Carers making Change.

Support Groups: provide an invaluable local point of access to Carers in the Dunmanway and Clonakilty areas. Meetings take place on the first Thursday night of alternate months. Incorporated in the meetings are opportunities to learn new information/skills, have a chat, receive support, have a bit of craic and above all realise that you are not alone in your caring.

Support Groups remain Carer led with Carers having direct input into how programme and service are delivered.

The WCCSG hosts a bi annual Support Group for Carers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease:

Social Events: give Carers attending an opportunity to meet socially outside of the regular programme of activities. Events include coffee mornings, Christmas outing and Leisure & Lunch.

Celebrating National Carers Week: To celebrate the inaugural all Ireland Carers week, June 11th to 17th 2007,the WCCSG organised the following events:

• A Carers Makeover Event with colour & style consultant Mety Zantingh at the Maritime Hotel, Bantry.
• Evening of Poetry and Readings with Author, Alice Taylor at the Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway.

Outreach Service: The aim of the outreach service is to target Carers living in isolated areas and to put in place an outreach programme, which will meet their needs. Furthermore, we are acutely aware that Carers due to their caring commitments and geographic location are not always in a position to seek support outside of their immediate area.

The areas served by the outreach service are Caheragh, Sheep’s Head and Mizen peninsulas.


Care and Maintenance of Carers own Health:

Carers Courses:
1) Patient Handling & Back Care Courses
The one-day patient handing & back care course provides accredited training on some of the more practical elements of caring and helps to reduce physical strain. The course helps to identify when, which, and how mechanical aids and appliances should be utilised to assist in specific circumstances.

2) Caring in the Home Courses
The Caring in the Home Course is a 5 week course providing information and training opportunities in Emergency First Aid, Self-esteem & Keys to Communication, the role of the Community Care Team & the Palliative Care Team, Personal Care, Benefits & Entitlements, Stress Management and Healthy Nutrition. It also incorporates a full day session on Patient Handling & Back Care, as already outlined.

3) Assertive Communication & Self Esteem Courses
This course, designed by Cork SHEP, assists Carers in practical ways to explore and improve their communication, enhance their self-esteem and strengthen and improve their relationships.

4) Computer Classes - For beginners & Improvers

5) Relaxation and Recreational Courses: include Yoga, Aromatherapy, Flower Arranging and Arts & Crafts.

Having a Voice:
Lobbying for improvements in services and supports and giving a voice to Carers issues remains a critical part of our work.

Carers Issue Forum: Forum meetings with key HSE management personnel in the West Cork Community care area provide an opportunity for Carer feedback and enable both groups work together on Carers issues.

Submissions:
Pre-Budget (Annual), On the Position of Full Time Carers, 2003,Social Inclusion National Action Plan, 2004, Submission to the Disability Federation of Ireland on the Primary Medical Certificate 2006,Taskforce on Active Citizenship, 2006

2007 General Election: The WCCSG hosted a non- partisan questions & answers session with candidates in the Cork South West Constituency in April. The purpose of which was to put Carers on the political agenda and raise awareness of the issues effecting Carers.

Networking:
Direct contact with voluntary & statutory service providers and interest groups on a local and national level remain an important part of our work. In 2006 this included

West Cork Mental Health Forum: is a broad coalition of individuals and organisations who have come together to develop a positive agenda around mental health in the West Cork area.

Beara Forum - provides opportunities for groups /agencies providing service in Beara area to come together, network and share information on the services provided.

Care Alliance Ireland –WCCSG are represented on the Board of CAI. CAI is a cross border umbrella group, which aims to enhance the status and well being of family Carers, through supporting the work and activities of family Carers organisations.

For more information on what we offer contact West Cork Carers