Carers who care for one another

"THIS group is absolutely fantastic and provides a real lifeline for all of us."

Since 1994, Jasmine Best, of Scartho, has helped care for her mum, who has a range of medical conditions.

THERE FOR EACH OTHER: Members of the Carer's Friendship Group celebrate their second year anniversary. They meet at the Yarborough Hotel, Grimsby, every Monday. Picture: Michelle Adamson.

And one organisation is there to support her – The Carers' Friendship Group, which is celebrating its second anniversary.



It currently has about 30 members, who meet at Grimsby's Yarborough Hotel every Monday evening to socialise.

Members also support one another during the week and meet up for other social events and special occasions.

Co-founders Stewart Coley and Terry Packham founded the group aftermeeting at the North East Lincolnshire Carers' Centre in Victoria Street.

Stewart, who is a former carer for his ex-wife, said: "The carers' centre is great and offers lots of help and advice, but we wanted to do something more sociable.

"A lot of carers don't make time to forget about their worries and enjoy themselves, so that is what we aimed to do.

"On a more serious note, if any of us has a crisis or any problems, we are all here to offer support."

Terry said: "My wife cared for me when I had a major stroke and now I care for her because she is bipolar.
"It makes a real difference knowing you've got friends in the group who you can talk to about any difficulties and who know what you're going through."

Jasmine continued: "When you are a carer your life revolves around the person who you are caring for and it's easy to forget about yourself. A lot of carers never go out to do anything for themselves.

"Having a set event to attend every Monday night means you can plan it in and make the effort to attend.
"As well as having fun, we support each other. If somebody loses the person they care for, we all go to the funeral and they continue to come to the meetings."

Theresa Craigie, of Humberston, is a full-time carer for her son, who has severe cerebral palsy.
She said: "I'd hit rock bottom when somebody told me about the group and it changed my life.

"Being a carer is so isolating and having the chance to socialise with people who are in a similar situation means everything to me.

"It's something to keep you going and to look forward to."

Get involved
If you are a carer and would like to join the friendship group, call North East Lincolnshire Carers' Centre on 0845 3025525.