Shevington Dementia Carers Support Group recently celebrated it’s 13th birthday. The Group started in March 2005, because of a need being identified within the community. Initially there were just four people in the Group and meetings were held at the local garden centre, where listening, understanding, empathy and bacon baps were the order of the day.
The original Group still attend, Beryl and Joan who started the Group facilitate it, while Dorothy and Mary continue to give everyone a warm welcome with a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit at every meeting. Since October 2012, the Dementia Carers Group has come under the umbrella of Shevington Doctors Surgery, Patient Participation Group, who pay our overheads and support the Group, which now numbers in the forties, with about twelve to fifteen people attending each meeting.
The Carers who attend are all at different stages on their ‘Journey’ with their loved ones. Although we no longer have bacon baps, there is a wealth of experience and knowledge and helpful support shared amongst the members over a ‘cuppa’. Carers appreciate meeting with others who can understand their situation. Caring for loved ones with Dementia is a demanding, lonely and isolating experience. The purpose of this group is to help them meet with others who are walking the same hard road. Here they can share their experiences, receive and give support and form friendships. Simply being together is a tremendous help.
We have regular outings and social events, enjoyed and appreciated by the Carers, funded by many generous donations and by fundraising and we occasionally invite a speaker on a relevant or helpful topic.
If you have a loved one with Dementia please accept our invitation to come along, you are very welcome to join us. The Group meets every last Monday of every month 10 30 a.m. – 12 30 pm in the lounge in the Methodist Church in Shevington.
“COME WHEN YOU CAN LEAVE WHEN YOU MUST”
Contacts
Beryl Smith 01257 424826 [email protected]
Joan Wadcock 01257252001 [email protected]
Elaine Ellams 01257 253826 [email protected]
