Shetland Carers Groups

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Shetland Carers Groups

• A Rural Perspective

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Shetland Islands

• Shetland is an Archipelago of over 100 Islands.
• 15 of these are inhabited.
• Population of approx 22000.
• Latitude 60 North the same as Siberia.
• Nearest major sea port is Bergen 180 miles East.

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Carers

• There are six million carers in the UK.
• Only 1 in 4 have had an assessment of need.
• 1.6 Million carers also work full time.
• Carers save UK 50 Billion per year.
• 2/3 of carers say caring has affected their
  health.

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What are Carers Groups ?

• They offer support to carers and families.
• They disseminate information.
• Facilitate access to other services.
• Assist in creating a social network.
• Provide an informal access to health care
  professionals.

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Shetland Carers groups

• There are currently 3 carers groups in Shetland.
• Central Mainland
• North Mainland
• West Mainland

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Central and North Mainland

• Central Mainland was the first area to set up a
  carers group, offering monthly meetings and
  social outings.
• North Mainland group is coordinating the setting
  up of an island wide carers web site with links
  to local and national carers information.

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Central Carers Group contd

• Central group are now fully constituted as a
  group and the group is chaired by a Carer. The
  first AGM is in early March.
• Carers Rights Day December 07 was celebrated at
  the Town Hall in Lerwick with carers and the
  cared for attending for a Christmas Fayre

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North Mainland Contd

• Due to the geography of the North Mainland and
  where Carers and their families live the concept
  of the group has been difficult to achieve.
• Carers have taken the initiative and have
  received training on developing a web-site for
  all Shetland carers and a feasibility study is
  being undertaken re telephone help line

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West Mainland Carers Group

• This is a joint working project with the
  Community Nursing Service, Walls Health Centre
  and Wastview Care Home.
• Population for area 1754 with 49 identified
  carers which approximates to 1 person in every 40
  being a carer.

Walls Surgery
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What the West Mainland Group have achieved!

• Group meeting every six weeks.
• Invited speakers at meetings.
• Social event during carers week.
• Raised awareness of caring in the community.
• Support from QNIS (Queens Nursing Institute for
  Scotland).

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Where do we go from here?

• Continue to raise awareness of carers needs.
• Continue to update carers on changes to benefits
  and government legislation.
• Offer health checks to carers.
• Build the group to a level where carers run the
  group, with health professionals support as
  needed.

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