This article is from page 29 of the 2007-06-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
CARERS in east Clare can now meet up regularly with others in the same situation with the set up of a local Support group.
The second meeting of the group, open to both current and past car- ers, will be on Thursday, June 14 at 7pm in the East Clare Community Development’s (ECCD) premises in Scariff.
Teresa Hickey, a carer for nine years and secretary of this local
branch of Caring for Carers, said that the group is a response to the needs of carers in the area.
‘“T noticed that there was no support eroup for people in east Clare and so carers had to go to Ennis for meet- ings. I called Susan Hogan of Caring for Carers, she came out for an open meeting and we just went from there. We will now have monthly meetings with guest speakers and get sugges- tions from members for what they would like to do.”
She added that the eight people
present at the first meeting elected Sean Connell as chairman and Cath- erine Patience as treasurer.
“We have secured financial support of €1,200 from Caring for Carers with the option of more money from ECCD if needed. We will use that to provide things such as manual or computer training, first aid, arts and crafts- anything people want. We have only started but we are very de- termined to keep it going because it is SO important.”
Ms Hickey outlined some of the is-
sues affecting carers.
“Carers want their role to be rec- ognised in society. Most would be caring full time and are isolated because of this. This is a rural area and they might not know who else is a carer, let alone meet with them. Government support has improved but the means test for carers allow- ance 1s still a huge issue. We can now collaborate with Ennis’s lobby group as well.”
For further information, contact Teresa on 087 9709121.