Carers Weekend
The idea for the Caring for Carers Weekend was as a result of recent research funded by the HSE entitled ‘Building capacity with family carers who care for persons in the community with long term conditions’. Dr. Niamh Plunkett, Director of the Centre for Lifelong Learning and author of the research explains the origins of this event: ‘This study highlighted the need for family carers to have time away from their caring role, to engage in training to suit carers specific needs along with time to relax and be pampered’. The research also pointed to the necessity for carers to have time to meet other carers in a social environment.
Thirty family carers who care for individuals with either a physical, mental or intellectual disability/condition can avail of this weekend, with 3 weekends available in summer 2012 hosted at St. Angela’s College. The sponsors of the weekends are the Lions Club Association, Ireland.
As an ‘all-inclusive’ residential weekend, carers stay in accommodation adjacent to the College campus. The carers join in group activities in on the Friday evening followed by a night of entertainment. The College campus is a hive of activity on the Saturday, with carers engaging in activities from yoga, reflexology, massage and make-up application, to computer tasters, individual counselling and skills training in the state-of-the-art clinical skills laboratory.
Marian Harkin, MEP has previously offered a workshop on the role of the EU Carers Interest Group. Support groups including Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Services, North West Stroke Group and Carers Association HQ representatives are also available throughout the day offering valued support and advice.
Saturday concludes with carers treated to a sensational boat cruise on Lough Gill, which includes meal & entertainment. On Sunday morning, Fr Michael Duignan arranges a special blessing for carers. This final event cements for carers what the weekend was about: The anticipation of attending on Friday, the enjoyment and fulfilment received from activities on Saturday, along with making new friends. Carers leave on Sunday with a feeling and a sense of belonging and most importantly the sense of being cared for themselves.
The feedback from previous carers who attended the weekend clearly indicates that it exceeded all of their expectations. Carers stress the importance of having future Caring for Carers Weekends and all carers strongly agreed that St. Angela’s College provided the ideal location for this event. Carers stressed the importance of regular Caring for Carers Weekends, with St. Angela’s College, Sligo on the tranquil shores of Lough Gill offering the ideal location for the event.
The 2012 Carers Weekends are scheduled for the following weekends:
- Friday 8th to Sunday 10th June
- Friday 6th to Sunday 8th July
- Friday 27th to Sunday 29th July
For more information on the Caring for Carers weekend offered at St. Angela’s College please contact:
Mary Henry (Lions Club Association) at 085 7469530 or 071 918 5750 or
Dr Niamh Plunkett, Director, Centre for Lifelong Learning, St. Angela’s College at 071 9135623 or nplunkett@stangelas.nuigalway.ie
