Home carers who want to explore ways in which they can develop their important skills are being offered the space in which to so by the National Extension College – and it won't cost them a penny!
In collaboration with the government-backed "Caring with Confidence" scheme which aims to boost the self-esteem of people who care for others – often with little recognition by the outside world – the college has launched a study programme which can be taken by post, online or through local groups at neighbourhood centres.
Dr Mary Edmunds, client services manager at the Cambridge-based college, phoned the ME Association to ask us to help spread the word.
She said: "One of the key groups we are trying to reach is full-time carers who just don't have the time to join formal study sessions. Through a system of seven workbooks, which can be posted out or studied online, they can work through a number of issues at their own pace and have telephone access to a mentor."
The workbooks cover topics like how to take care of yourself, how to plan from day-to-day (including discussion about medication and emergencies that might occur in the home) and how to juggle with competing priorities – including other aspects of life.
The courses are free, but they are only available to carers living in England who must be over the age of 18.