"I just have to say what a wonderful service this is"

It was my friend who introduced me to this, by inviting me to come to one of the sessions she was going to, and knew I’d been to one like it before. It was one of the Wellness Sessions at Garrell Vale in Kilsyth, organised by one of your Project Workers, Laura, from North Lanarkshire Disability Forum, Motherwell.

The weeks continued with a Taster Session from an Intuitive Psychology Coach, Carol-Anne, which was very insightful and very helpful. This session happened because one of the girls in the group one week, said that Carol-Anne had helped her so much, that she felt like a ‘new person’! Laura was ‘all over it’ right away!! She immediately took details from the lady in the group, to try to organise this as soon as possible for us. I have since been in touch with Carol-Anne, (through a one-to-one session with Laura, helping me to apply for funds through the ‘short breaks for carers’) to organise one-to-one sessions with her, as they are privately run. Long story short, I have since received funding to go towards this cost, which I am so very grateful for. 

There was also the Slow Cooker group, which I am attending at the moment. All of us in this group have received a brand new Slow Cooker, which once again, I am so very grateful for. 

I missed out on a couple of things organised by Laura unfortunately, as I was away for Christmas last year. They were a Digital Inclusion Course, and SP Energy Networks Session.

Laura has really been so very supportive to me, and willing to help in any way she can. I didn’t know about any of this, and from that day my friend invited me to go along to Garrell Vale that day, meeting Laura, talking to the ladies in the group, having coffee and a chat, it’s just gone from there, and I have been helped by so many people. Laura has been absolutely brilliant.

I also have to mention Paul, whom I have not met, but was an integral part in helping to secure my application for funding. I talked to Paul for over an hour the day he called, and we spoke of a lot more than the application. He helped with other things in relation to my caring role for my Mum, recommended a good book he’d read (which I now have) and just generally helped in more ways than he know. 

So I just have to say what a wonderful service this is, and how helpful these people have been.

I’m also in line for a one-to-one talk with Lorna, who after meeting with her on Tuesday, said she would talk to me more about Dementia, the illness itself, how it affects people with it, and probably more to the point, how it affects the Carers themselves.  The feeling of guilt, and not being able to help sometimes overwhelms me, so I’m sure Lorna will be great too. 

I can only say a huge thank you to all the people who have contributed in their own way towards my wellbeing. I really am grateful.