Carers' support group. (this is not the thread discussed in FCQ btw!)
 

I am attending a carers' support group for the first time in the morning and wondered if anyone could give me any ideas of what to expect? I'm ALL the scared, because new people scare me, srs bsns scares me, and everyone finding out I'm a fraud and not a proper carer scares me. Eep.

Additionally, is it just me or does it seem ironic to leave the person you're caring for to go to a carers' group? I struggle with leaving the person I care for in general, but it's easier when I'm earning money or attending essential university stuff because that helps both of us in the long run, but going out for several hours when it won't benefit her at all feels wrong.

Any experiences or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Jenna :)

Well if you want to feel like it benefits me - think of it like this: It supports you which helps you to help me.

:)

(And will be a good support to you, too, which is my main hope.)

Maybe that is something you could discuss there? Also how long is it? Is there anyway someone else could spend time with Jodie whilst you are there?

I used to go to Young Carers groups and sometimes we spoke about caring stuff and sometimes we just did young people stuff like having fun. I think with adult carers its more talking about things but I guess it depends on who is running it?

Jodie has said what I was about to say basically. So I'll just come give you some love. <3

^Oh my days. Loving the name change. Mainly because I think it means something else.

Jenna - Jodie is right. If my man attended one of these groups, I would have a sense of relief because I would know he was getting some support and it would hopefully take the load off of him a bit, therefore helping me in the long run. It's really good that you are going.

I'm sorry I don't have any advice on what to expect but I just wanted to drop by and say that. Good luck :) xxx

Thank you for the replies, they're all really helpful :) And I'll try to think of it like that, it's a very good idea indeed!

Additionally, loving your alternate interpretation of LeClaire's username Louise!

I apologise for lowering the tone >.>
Seriously though, good luck Jenna. I bet Jodie is so proud of you.

^I am indeed.

I really hope this group can help support you love, because you do so much for me and others and you deserve some support too. I'll feel so, so much better knowing you have somewhere. I really will. <3

I hope attending the group goes well :) My Partner is my carer and I know if he attended a group for carers I'd feel glad that he was getting support because caring for someone can be a difficult job sometimes. I think it's very positive to accept support when you think it could be beneficial.

I think sometimes he assumes caring for me is just something he does because he loves me, but really it's not an easy role to be in and it can be quite difficult at times. I suppose that might possibly be the case with other people too, that you care for someone because you love them, but really caring for someone can be hard sometimes, so getting support might be a good idea.

Good luck tomorrow Jenna. I hope it goes well and doesn't prove to be too scary. I shall be thinking of you.

JENNA, I really hope today goes OK and would love to hear about it later!

I hope the group goes okay today.

Thinking of you today <3

Awkwardly it didn't go well at all.
Thought I should post instead of suspiciously staying quiet, but yeah.

oh dear, in what way did it not go well? (don't have to answer if don't want to talk aout it)

I'm sorry, shall we find another? I'll have a google now.

A few places to visit:

http://www.camdencarers.org.uk/

http://camden.gov.uk/ccm/content/soc...ED 78E7093840

http://www.rethink.org/how_we_can_he...ups/index.html

http://www.mind.org.uk/help/people_g...ope_as_a_carer

http://www.mentalhealthcare.org.uk/support_for_carers

i agree with everyone else that you having support is an excellent thing. sorry it didn't go well this morning. want to talk about it?

Was it the people that made it not great? Was it a specific MH carers group?

Sorry it didn't go well and I love that Jodie is finding more already, lol!!!

I'm sorry it didn't go well, not all groups are the same though there are differences. You did really well to go and try it though, that was brave of you.