Respite
When you have respite you may just want to relax at home, or maybe get some jobs done around the house. However sometimes it may be beneficial to have someone to talk to about your caring experiences so it may be helpful to go along to a Local Support Group.
Guideposts can offer a sitting service so that you as the carer can go out and about or attend a carer support group meeting. Our dementia specialist support workers can offer to do some activities with the cared for person; music, creative activities or they could take out the person for a social visit to somewhere local. They understand the special needs of people with dementia. You can contact Emma Carter on 01452 410101.
Social services can also offer a respite service to carers. This service can form part of your support package as a carer. You will need to have a carer's assessment undertaken when respite can be discussed. The respite could be offered as a sitting service at home, an opportunity for the person with dementia to go to day care, or an opportunity to have longer term respite in a residential or nursing home; this could be for a week or perhaps longer, so that you could go away on holiday. Contact 01452 426868 and ask for a carer's assessment and about respite options for you. Your respite time is very important, it enables you to continue giving the care you do, accept any offers of help from family and friends too, they will want to help you.
Carer Support Groups
These carer support groups are not just for carers of people with dementia but also for a range of mental health and learning disabilities. You can contact them directly and find out what they can offer.
Windrush Carers Support Group
The Windrush Carers Support Group meets on the last Tuesday of each month in Bourton on the Water. Contact Barbara Newstead 01451 821523 to find out more.
Prestbury Carers Group
This group meets on the last Monday of each month at 11.00am in Prestbury. Contact Richard Mason on 01242 579097 or Sandy Iles on 01242 676096 for further information
Services in Gloucestershire Alzheimer's Society
Memory Cafés – all the Memory Cafés meet once a month, check details for the day and contact Viv Shorney on 01452 525222 for the next meeting and more information.
Cam – Cam Memorial Hall, 28 High Street, Cam. GL11 5LE. Monday from 10.30am – 12.30pm.
Cheltenham – Municipal Offices, Pittville Room, Promenade, Cheltenham GL50 9SA. Tuesday 10.30am – 12.30pm.
Cirencester – Holy Trinity Church Hall, Trinity Road, GL7 1JR. Friday 10.00am – 12.00 Noon.
Cinderford – The Belle Vue Centre, Belle Vue Road, Cinderford. GL14 2AB. Thursday 10.30am – 12.30pm.
Cinderford – Hanover Court, Bilson Close, Valley Road, GL14 2LQ. Thursday 3.00pm – 4.30pm.
Gloucester – Gloucester Deaf Association, Colin Road, Barnwood, GL4 3JL. Wednesday 2.00pm – 4.00pm.
Nailsworth – Alzheimer’s Café Christchurch Rooms, Newmarket Road, GL6 0DQ. Wednesday 2.00pm – 4.00pm.
Minchinhampton – Alzheimer’s Café – Day Centre, Horsfall House, Windmill Road, GL6 9EY.
Singing for the Brain.
Gloucester – Hucclecote Rugby Football Club, Churchdown Lane, Hucclecote, Gloucester. GL3 3LF. Meetings are on Wednesdays, twice a month. Contact: 01452 525222 for dates and times.
Tea Dance
Drybrook – Forest Church School Rooms, Harrow Hill, GL17 9BW. Once a month on a Friday from 2.00pm – 4.00pm. Contact: 01452 525222.
Pub Grub Club – The Greyhound, Cheltenham Road, Longlevens, GL2 0XH. Last Tuesday of the month from 12.00 Noon – 1.30pm.
Art Group – Gloucester Resource Centre, City Works, Alfred Street, GL1 4DF. Meets every other Tuesday.
Directions Group – Gloucester – The Oakwood, Tewkesbury Road, Twigworth, Gloucester, GL2 9PG. Monday, once a month from 11.00am onwards – lunch optional.
Good 2 Go! Services
For all the above contact Viv Shorney on 01452 525222 for more information or email gloucestershire@alzheimers.org.uk
Milan Group
Asian women's Carers Group. Please contact Shamim Kholwadia on 01452 872240 or email skholwadia@carersgloucestershire.org.uk for further details.
Ebony Carers
For all Carers from the African Caribbean community. Contact Carol Sterling on 01452 426018 or Blanche McCalla on 01452 617456.
Cotswold 92 Club
Meets every second Wednesday each month from 7 – 9pm in Moreton-in-Marsh. Contact Eileen Randall on 01608 650213 for information.
District Carers Group
For information about groups which may be more local to you contact Kellie Beresford from Carers Gloucestershire on 01452 872248 or email kberesford@carersgloucestershire.org.uk
Kimbrose Lunch Club
Meets fortnightly on a Thursday between 11am – 2pm in Gloucester and provides support for people living with dementia and their main carer. For more information about Kimbrose Lunch Club and cost contact: Brunelcare on 01452 550066 or email gloucester@brunelcare.org.uk
Further Information
Carers UK can offer information relating to carers' rights at work, financial assistance to carers, safety in the home and how to assess your needs as a carer. Includes a forum.
Further national organisations which could be supportive to carers.
