Cumbrian organisations which support unpaid carers in the county are looking for volunteers and fundraisers to help them.
While COVID restrictions may have changed the way Eileen Lewis has been able to volunteer in the past 12 months, she is looking forward to getting back to offering a sitting service, to give unpaid carers a couple of hours break, while she sits with their loved one.
Eileen started as a volunteer for Eden Carers in 2016, after going with her friend to a meeting for people living with Parkinson’s disease and hearing a member of Eden Carers talking about the work of the organisation.
Eileen said: “I discovered how many people across Cumbria are isolated, caring 24/7 for loved ones. I wanted to help, and I volunteered to be part of the Eden Carers’ sitting service.
” Two hours is nothing to give to help, yet it means everything to someone who is caring every hour or every day.
“I get so much from volunteering. You build up a relationship and in my case a real friendship.”
Sue Munro, of the Eden Carers Team, said: “We make the process of becoming a volunteer as easy as possible, providing the training and support, without any other role other than supporting a carer.
“We welcome volunteers if they want to give two hours a month of their time or several hours a week. Every hour is so important and welcomed by our unpaid carers.
“To become a volunteer you just have a short application form to complete, a DBS check and provide two references.
“We provide individual training, and we have a one-to-one session. Depending on the experience of the volunteer we provide the support they need to feel confident about sitting with a person who needs the care. People come to volunteering from all different routes – people who have been carers themselves, or who enjoy chatting and helping others.
“There are no caring duties, it is about companionship and the respite they provide for the unpaid carer. And you don’t have to give two hours every week, it can be ad hoc.
“We arrange a meeting with the cared for and their carer, as either or both can be nervous about a stranger coming into their home – however, once they have got to know each other, the sitting service beings.
“We have had carers say the break they get has saved their lives, and one carer said she just enjoyed sitting down, on her settee and enjoying a couple of hours to herself.
Contact your local carers organisation to discover how you can help.
Carer Support South Lakes, Email: admin@carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk Tel: 01539 815970
Carlisle Carers Email: admin@carlislecarers.co.uk Tel: 01228 542156
Eden Carers Email: enquiries@edencarers.co.uk Tel: 01768 890280
Furness Carers Email: admin@furnesscarers.co.uk Tel: 01229 822822
West Cumbria Carers Email: general@westcumbriacarers.co.uk, Tel 01900 821976
