Caring for someone can be a strain both physically and emotionally. It can also be very isolating. Carers often mention how easy it is to lose contact with friends and family.
A carers group provides the opportunity to meet in a safe space with other carers — to share what it is like to be caring, to swap information, make friends, gain support and have fun.
In Camden there are support groups for all types of carers; some for carers from particular backgrounds and also for those who are caring for people with specific conditions.
For all carers:
1. The longest-established support group run by Camden Carers Centre now meets at the premises of 'Mind' in Camden, Barnes House, 9-11 Camden Road, NW1 (near Sainsbury’s and next to St. Michael's church). The group meets on alternate Wednesdays, from 10.30am − 12pm. It is carer-led; activities include occasional invited speakers and days out. The schedule until mid-summer 2010 is as follows:
- February - 10th and 24th;
- March - 10th and 24th;
- April - 14th and 28th;
- May - 12th and 26th;
- June - 9th and 23rd.
For further information please phone Jean Wallace on 020 7586 5405 or Caroline Allouf 020 7428 8956.
2. Friday is carers’ day at Kingsgate Resource Centre, 208 Webheath, Palmerston Road, NW6. For further information please phone 020 7624 8818. You can also have lunch for £3. To book, phone the same number by 11 am on the day.
3. A general carers group meets at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont Street, NW1, on the second Thursday of the month, 10.00am − 12pm.
Please ring 020 7485 2968.
Camden Carers Centre also runs support groups for:
Bangladeshi carers: meets approx every 8 weeks.
Contact Razia Choudhury on 020 7428 8952.
Carers of African and Caribbean descent: meets first Friday of the month at
293-299 Kentish Town Road, 1st floor meeting room, from 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. The timetable to June 2010 is as follows:
5 March, 9 April, 7 May, 4 June, 2 July, 6 August, 3 September, 1 October,
5 November, 3 December.
Please contact Lucy Raymond on 020 7428 8950 or Angela Edwards on 020 7530 6423.
Other carer support groups in Camden:
For LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender) carers:
Meets the first Tuesday at 6:30pm at London Friend, 86 Caledonian Road, Kings Cross, N1 9DN. The aim is to provide a place where carers can get support and also relax and have fun. Contact Rita on 020 7833 1674 or email rita@londonfriend.org.uk
For carers of people with confusion or dementia:
1. The Alzheimer's Society carers support group for Camden and Islington residents meets on third Thursday of the month, 2.15 − 4.15pm, at the Society’s Islington branch, Carnegie Street Day Centre, 1 Carnegie Street, N1.
Ring 020 7837 8723 for further information.
2. A carer-led group meets on first Thursday of every month at Charlie Ratchford Resource Centre, Belmont Street, NW1.
Please ring 020 7485 2968 in advance.
3. Netherwood Day Centre’s support group meets on last Thursday of the month, 10.30 am – 12.30pm, 5 Netherwood Street, Kilburn, NW6.
Contact Janet Williams or Angela Baxter on 020 7372 0750.
4. Former carers of people with Alzheimer’s group meets informally once a month for outings and events.
Contact Islington Alzheimer’s Society on 020 7837 8723.
For carers of people experiencing mental distress:
1. Making Space runs a support group for carers of people with mental health problems at Peckwater Resource Centre, 6 Peckwater Street, Kentish Town, NW5 — second Tuesday of the month from 10.00am – 12.30pm.
Contact Angela Edwards on 020 7530 6423 or 07872 189 783.
2. Mind in Camden provides a ‘Carers Space’, where carers of people with mental health issues can be supported by a qualified therapist, every Monday, 6.30 – 8pm.
There is no need to book, just drop in: Mind, Barnes House, 9-15 Camden Rd, NW1, or ring Richard on 07956 418 601.
For parents of children with special needs:
Centre 404 holds focus groups for family carers of adults (18+) with learning disabilities, second Wednesday of the month.
Contact Anna Simpkinson on 020 7697 1337.
For Chinese carers:
London Chinese carers support scheme (advice, information and support), 29-30 Soho Square, W1.
Contact Jenny Lan on 020 7534 6547 or www.cnhlc.org.uk