Prospect Hospice welcomes the Fire Service to their Carers Events programme

The Fire Service visited Prospect Hospice on Friday 1 March to give a presentation to carers as part of their Carers Events programme, designed for networking, support and advice.

The presentation which took place during the monthly Carers Café advised carers on how to practice basic fire safety within their own home. Attendees were also treated to a lunch prepared by Prospect Hospice’s catering team.

Three in five people are expected to be carers at some point in their lives and carers contribute to saving the UK’s economy £132bn a year. Prospect Hospice understands the challenges that carers face, and how someone’s illness can affect the whole family, and offers support through a person centred service offering 1-1 support, a detailed Carers Course Programme, Monthly Carers’ Cafes and Bi Monthly Wellbeing days, which include free complimentary therapies from the Prospect Hospice therapy team.

The Prospect Hospice Carer Support Service, run by Karen Maisey and Julianne Hayward Knight, held a Carers Café on February 8, giving carers the opportunity to network with other carers, this was followed up by a well-attended Carer Wellbeing Day on February 16, where lots of new faces were welcomed. Both events are supported by our complimentary volunteer therapists whose input is extremely valued by carers who leave feeling relaxed and invigorated after some much needed “me” time.

“Last year we supported over 300 carers who were looking after family members at the end of their life. Obviously the care that they give is extremely personal as it is a loved one, but this can mean it can be very demanding and often stressful and the impact of their role cannot be minimised,” said Julianne Hayward Knight. “Our aim is to give them as much help, information and advice as possible via our Carer Service both here in the Wroughton hospice and at our Wellbeing Centre in Marlborough. We also offer one to one bespoke support as needed in a personal centred holistic service both at the hospice and at a location of their choice according to need.

Karen Maisey added: “the benefits for our carers of being able to access both peer support and the opportunity to socialize with other carers out of their caring setting proves very beneficial to their sense of wellbeing and builds resilience, which is further enhanced when they are able to access our wonderful complimentary therapy opportunities”.