A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

Anyone can be a carer. Carers come from all walks of life, all cultures and can be of any age. If you are a carer....

Shetland Carers' Groups

can help you by providing :-

Emotional Support -

by providing opportunities for carers to talk through their concerns in group sessions, with other carers and staff who understand their situation, thus helping to alleviate isolation and stress

Information and advice -

about all issues affecting carers, including benefits, breaks, respite and support services, carer assessment procedures, aids and adaptations

Community consultation -

carers need a unified voice to ensure that they have an impact on decision-making. By working with other agencies and consulting carers, the Shetland Carers' Group can have a strong influence on local policy, planning procedures and outcomes. They can also ensure that the local carers' voice can be linked into regional and national decision-making bodies.

The aim of the groups is to help ensure that no carer has to reach crisis point before they get the support they need. In short, to make it easier for carers to cope.

Central Carers' Group

Meet monthly for meetings at Market House; please see the schedule for 2010.

If you would like to attend the group please call Jo Jack on 01595/743923, jo.jack@shetland.org

Westside Carers' Group

Next meetings are on Tuesday 19th January , Tuesday 2nd March and Tuesday 20th April, all at 7 pm at Wastview Daycare in Walls.

The contact person is Fiona Sinclair, 01595 809352, fiona.sinclair1@nhs.net

North Carers' Outreach

We are currently looking at starting an outreach group for the North of Shetland. If you would be interested in joining a group for this area please call Jo Jack on 01595 743923.