New carers’ group
10 May 2022
An informal new support group for relatives is being set up by the sister of one of our students.
Jacqui Burr hopes the monthly get-together in the Vineyard Café will give carers the opportunity to share experiences, learn from each other, and benefit from a sympathetic ear.
“There are so many hurdles we face in our roles and being a carer can seem very isolating,” said Jacqui, who has been her brother CJ’s carer since their mother passed away two years ago, requiring her to give up her NHS job. “I found myself on my own with no-one to ask many of the questions that come with caring for someone with Downs Syndrome.”
Fortunately Jacqui heard about The Fifth Trust and CJ started attending the day care service last July, just as the siblings had to deal with losing their father too. “He’s really blossomed being with other people and taking part in new activities,” she said. “But for us relatives, our paths do not cross unless we see each other in the car park, so I thought why not invite people to meet up for a coffee after dropping students off? We could share information between ourselves, help each other out, make plans for them to meet up with their friends at the weekend.”
The carers’ group will meet in the café at 9am on the first Thursday of every month, with the first meeting taking place on 2 June. If you have a relative attending The Fifth Trust and want to find out more, please contact Jacqui at [email protected] or on 07951 384791.