Free Carers Self-Management Courses in Thurrock

A FREE six week self-management course for carers and their cared for living in the Thurrock area, has places on a course starting in August.

‘Your Health, Your Life’ is a free self-management course for anyone that gives help and support to a relative or friend, who is ill, disabled, elderly or in need of emotional support.

The course is designed to help carers re-look at their caring role; aiming to equip them with essential skills that will help them to undertake their roles and responsibilities as a carer more easily, and improve their own health and well-being.

By taking part carers will have the opportunity to learn new skills to help them cope with their caring situation, develop the confidence to take more control of their life and meet with other carers who share similar experiences.

The course starts on Friday 14 August 2015 and runs each Friday from 10.30 to 13.30 at the Jubilee Day Unit, Thurrock Hospital, Long Lane, Grays, Essex, RM16 2PX, for six weeks.

Each three hour session is delivered by carers who have trained as tutors to help other carers. Running alongside the carers course is a Wellbeing group facilitated by the Older People Day Treatment Service, enabling carers to attend the course without the added worry of leaving their loved one at home.

The sessions each week will help carers to understand core subjects such as; relaxation, how to become a better communicator, what rights carers have and the importance of exercise and eating healthily. One of the weekly sessions includes training in basic first aid and manual handling skills.

The Wellbeing group (running alongside it) has also been specifically designed to provide beneficial and therapeutic interventions to those you care for by providing them the opportunity to engage in meaningful and creative activities.

The course is open to any carer or cared for that access any of SEPT’s older people’s services. Carers can attend the carers course, without the cared for attending the wellbeing group, however, the cared for cannot attend the wellbeing group if the carer is not attending the carers course.

Places on the course are limited and must be booked in advance: for further information contact Stephen Rabbitts on 07855752849 by email at stephen.rabbitts@sept.nhs.uk, or visit the SEPT website www.sept.nhs.uk/get-involved/support-for-carers/are-you-a-carer/