Workshops help carers to feel 'less isolated'

Carers and members from Every-One and Age UK charities have been coming together to share their experiences

Workshops that aim to give carers a break from their commitments have been helping people feel "less isolated".

The monthly events have been held at Doddington Hall near Lincoln and are run by Lincolnshire County Council and charity Every-One, which focuses on the wellbeing of carers and those who are cared for.

Elaine Smith, who cares for her husband, said it was “nice to be around people in a similar situation".

Colin Hopkirk, from the charity, said the sessions "enable carers to have a voice again".

Elaine Smith, left, and Amanda Palser, from Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire

Mrs Smith became a carer for her husband following a motorcycle accident that left him with head injuries and needing an above-knee leg amputation.

"Everybody’s life changes when something tragic happens," she said.

Mrs Smith recently joined the group to share her experiences and said other carers should “use these charities because they are great at supporting us”.

The charity said anyone who feels they could benefit can just turn up at one of the sessions, which usually last three-and-a-half hours.

Mr Hopkirk, 63, said the idea was for carers to be seen “not just through the single lens of being a carer”.

"Carers sacrifice themselves to care for someone else," he said.

"They often lose their interests and live half a life."

Colin Hopkirk, from charity Every-One, which organises the workshops

Floral artist Rachel Petheram, 54, who works with the charity to provide nature and art workshops, said she had seen first-hand the pressures the carers were under.

Her mother is a carer and she said the project had a “huge personal meaning”.

She said: “Carers become so absorbed in other people there’s very little opportunity to focus on yourself.

“Art is almost secondary, the group is building carers a community for them to share their experiences and feel like they’re not on their own."

Amanda Palser, 48, who is a support service co-ordinator with Age UK Lincoln and South Lincolnshire, which is funding the workshops, said the aim was to "help all carers do something for themselves".

“Carers get lost in the world they are living in at home,” Ms Palser said.

“The sessions help them detach from everyday living."

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