Local community group Carers IW is celebrating after being awarded almost £48,000 in National Lottery funding to support its work with unpaid carers.
Carers IW, based at the Riverside Centre and St Mary’s Hospital, has been running since 2014 and offers support to adult carers of adults across the Island. A range of support is on offer from emotional support, craft sessions, meditation, self-care cafes to training.
The cash from the National Lottery will be used to offer carers at home 6 free respite hours of support so they can have a small amount of time away from the home, or to fund some help around the home.
Elizabeth Martin, Manager of Carers IW, says:
“We’re delighted that The National Lottery Community Fund has recognised our work in this way.
“Now, thanks to National Lottery players we will be able to offer carers some time away from their caring role.
“This is even more important now as a lot of carers across the Island have had little time off from their role during the last few months”.
Lynette, a local carer supported by Carers IW, adds:
“During a prolonged and traumatic journey with my husband’s Alzheimer’s Disease, Carer’s IW have literally been a life-saver for me. They have provided a brilliant, knowledgeable, empathetic key worker and also an Advocate for me.
“They have a huge variety of workshops and drop-ins for information, training sessions and ‘Salvation’ respite weekends for those that care.
“The whole team are enthusiastic, friendly and totally dedicated, in fact, I don’t know how I would cope without them”.
A worthy cause indeed.