Carers Transitions with Cruse and Relationships Scotland
Putting You First is supporting a groundbreaking region-wide initiative aimed at helping Carers to cope when their circumstances change. The project involves recruiting new relationship counsellors at Relationships Scotland Dumfries and Galloway and new bereavement counsellors at Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland.
Sue Madigan has been appointed Project Coordinator for the Putting You First Carers Transition Project and she is keen to raise awareness of its benefits for Carers in Dumfries and Galloway. Sue said: “There are an estimated 14,000 Carers of all ages and backgrounds providing invaluable support to friends and family members across our region.
“While Caring can be rewarding it is also important to recognise that taking on or losing Caring responsibilities can be very difficult and stressful. Becoming a Carer is often life changing in terms of finances, employment and hopes for the future. When Caring responsibilities come to an end people may also be dealing with bereavement and other complex feelings.
“The Carers Transition Project will carry out a number of tests of change to determine whether specialist relationship support would help people to cope with the emotional demands of becoming a Carer. It will also assess the effectiveness of specialist bereavement support for the Carer at the end of their cared for person’s life with the aim of reducing further medical intervention or use of anti-depressants.
“We have recruited new bereavement and relationship counsellors to help deliver the additional support for Carers and have taken our first referrals. My next task is to raise awareness of the project with GPs, social workers, care homes, Carers, Third and Independent Sector organisations through publicity material and training events.”
For further information on the Putting You First Carers Transition Project with Relationships Scotland Dumfries and Galloway and Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland please contact Sue Madigan on 01387 251 245 or by email at [email protected].
